Big shake up for Tauranga City Council

The re-elected mayor of Tauranga, Stuart Crosby, celebrates with his wife Lesley and daughter Jessica at their Papmoa Home.

There has been a big shake up in Tauranga City Council. Only the mayor and three existing councillors have been voted in for another term, paving the way for seven new faces on the council.

Long serving councillors Bill Faulkner, David Stewart and Murray Guy were not successful in this year's election.

The change has been described as rejuvenating the council.

Returning mayor Stuart Crosby said he was feeling mixed emotions after finding out the results.

"I am delighted to be returning as the mayor of Tauranga but I am also disappointed for a number of colleagues who were unsuccessful," he said.

"But I am also really excited about the seven new councillors, who will bring a whole new dynamic to the council."

Mr Crosby said the councillors who were about to start their first term were in for a reality shock.

"I did get to know a lot of them throughout the campaign and I think they will all do a fantastic job."

He said he was most surprised about David Steward not being voted back in.

"But I am absolutely delighted for our three young guys, Matt, Steve and Clayton. I'm also pleased we have two more women on council which creates a far better balance."

He said younger councillors had been missing from council for a long time and that the results showed the public wanted a change.

Matt Cowley was voted in as an at large councillor. He said finding out the results was a nice surprise.

"I am so happy with the amount of support I have received throughout the whole process, especially since I was a relatively unknown candidate."

He said the hard work was now due to begin.

"I am really looking forward to getting stuck in."

As for the other results he said it was fantastic three women had been voted onto council.

"It is all just really positive," he said.

"We all have different skills which complement each other and I think this is a well rounded council."

Former deputy mayor David Stewart, who was one of the longest standing councillors said this was a big change for the city council.

He said he was always surprised when he had been voted onto the council and this was his time to go.

He said the council would be rejuvenated with the new councillors particularly for the Mount Maunganui, Papamoa ward.

"They [Steve Morris and Clayton Mitchell] have been very good candidates and they have plenty of energy which can only be good for council."

He said he wasn't yet sure of his future plans.

Mayoral candidate Kelvin Clout said he was disappointed on missing out on mayoralty but was pleased with how close the results were.

"I would like to also say congratulations to Stuart [Crosby]," he said.

"I am very pleased about being a councillor the Welcome Bay, Te Papa ward and I am so grateful to my friends and family for their support."

He said the new make up of councillors was surprising.

"I thought there might have only been about three or four new councillors but turns out there is a few more," he said.

"It looks as though the voters thought it was time for a big change. It's very exciting."

Mr Clout said he was looking forward to working with all the new councillors.

Results:
Mayor
Stuart Crosby

At Large
Gail McIntosh
Matt Cowley
John Robson
Rich Curach

Mount Maunganui-Papamoa Ward
Clayton Mitchell
Steve Morris

Otumoetai-Pyes Pa Ward
Catherine Stewart
Bev Edlin

Te Papa-Welcome Bay Ward
Kelvin Clout
Bill Grainger