Tauranga city councillors - who's studying real estate, who's working out of town, and who's moved on

Tauranga City Council chambers used to have 11 elected members. Now there are four commissioners in control. So what has become of the city's mayor and councillors. Photo / File

It has been four months since the Local Government Minister announced she was sending in commissioners to replace Tauranga City Council elected members, who have since been discharged of their duties. But where are they now? Kiri Gillespie caught up with the councillors to see what they were doing for work now, whether they would enter politics again, if there were any lessons learned from the ousting and whether or not they had moved on. This is what they had to say:

Tina Salisbury, deputy mayor

Tauranga deputy mayor Tina Salisbury. Photo / File

"I served in our city for years before I was elected, so whether I am being paid for it or not, I will continue to find ways to serve, contribute and make a difference.
"I am currently the Interim Independent Chairperson of the Welcome Bay Community Centre. A volunteer role to help the centre through a rough patch, to refresh, set a healthy culture and strategic direction for it to support and empower whānau of Welcome Bay and surrounding communities.
"Would I consider entering politics again? At this point, yes I would. I discovered a love for local government, thoroughly enjoyed serving our city in this role, and feel I could have a valuable contribution in the future.
"I have learned much in a short space of time. Local government in New Zealand needs a major reform to be able to serve our communities well into the future. The situation we found ourselves in was years in the making. The issues in Tauranga are complex, they will not be solved in the next two years, even with the commission.
"I am staying connected locally and nationally and would like to contribute to reforming and improving local government over the next few years."

Kelvin Clout

Tauranga City councillor Kelvin Clout. Photo / File

"I'm actually doing my real estate papers. I'm doing it all online. I'm ripping into it fairly quickly.
"That is the big thing for me, doing my papers for real estate. I'm hoping to get my licence pretty much early April. That's my objective. I'm also looking at buying a small business on the side. I've always enjoyed the business side of life, entrepreneurial endeavours as well.
"Change is a good as a rest they say but I'm never one to rest on my laurels.
"I'm just keeping an eye on what's going on with council. I've got a meeting with the commissioners ... I'll be keeping an eye particularly on the Long Term Plan when that is out for consultation, there's every likelihood I'll make a submission.
"Being very frank, if the election arrives on schedule, I'll definitely be having another go."

Larry Baldock

Tauranga Council councillor Larry Baldock. Photo / File

"I have no paid job but lots of jobs helping with eight grandchildren and catching up on jobs around our property in Pyes Pa since the broken leg.
"I remain interested in looking at trying to develop some housing on our land for social housing or senior citizens in need but have a lot to work through with RMA and building consents through this year before there is any certainty ... Mortgages, rates and bills still need to be paid.
"I will always be interested in politics and the progress of our city and country and don't feel quite like retiring yet but whether I can re-enter involvement will depend on what opportunities open up or come my way.
"I have taken the opportunity to meet with the commissioners ... I will continue to offer to engage with them or take any roles that they may think I can help with over their term of leadership."

Andrew Hollis

Tauranga City councillor Andrew Hollis. Photo / File

"I've just moved house. I live in Pahoia. I've bought myself a place there, 1.7 hectares and I'm looking at what to put in there. I'm thinking avocados, so that's what I'm doing right now. I'll also be running in the [Western Bay of Plenty] byelection.
"I've obviously had time to work this through. I've got a business of my own, I don't really have to work anymore and while I've got just enough money to survive, it'd be nice to have a little more.
"I've learned that there's very little that could have been done in local government. As a councillor we are effectively toothless, we can't individually make decisions at all. If we go against what the machine (Government) wants, it becomes extremely difficult.
"I will be watching the Long-term Plan closely and I will be submitting on it."

Bill Grainger

Tauranga City councillor Bill Grainger. Photo / File

"I was going to retire anyway, it's just been brought a little bit early. So I'm just going to enjoy retirement for the next few months and enjoy a good break.
"I'll be 67 soon so no, I've had enough – nearly five terms – of council. That's nearly 15 years. That's enough for me, full stop.
"I just don't think it was a good decision. Here we are with commissioners coming in to take over and take control and they're consulting with people ... I'm reading a letter they sent us [invitation to meet].
"When you get kicked about like we did, it takes a bit to try to show a bit of interest but I will follow it up for sure, I always had an interest in the city."

Steve Morris

Tauranga City councillor Steve Morris. Photo / File

"I'm working out of town, I'm just about to start actually. But that's probably all I'll say on that.
"I haven't really left the role. I'm still meeting with constituents in a voluntary capacity. People are still contacting us. They did elect us for three years to represent them.
"[Lesson learned] Leadership is everything.
"Obviously, I pay close attention to Bay of Plenty politics."

John Robson

Tauranga City councillor John Robson. Photo / File

"I retired in 2001 so I'm still doing the same 'job' I was doing from 2001 to 2013 and between 2018 to 2018. I'm busy doing unpaid stuff. [consultancy work]
"I can't do national politics ... I'd have to be terrible and I'm not a terrible person. But local politics, yeah. I'm always involved, I'll always express a view. I'm passionate about democracy.
"What I've learned, what is regretful, is that human nature is pretty much unchanging.
"Nothing much has changed with the challenge for council. The big issues they are still here. I'm prepared to give the commissioners a run, let's see what they do.
"I feel like Socrates in Athens."

Heidi Hughes, who resigned in December

Former Tauranga City councillor Heidi Hughes, who resigned from her role shortly before commissioners were appointed to replace the elected members. Photo / File

"I have a new exciting project that I'm doing. It's a business case for transport ... to encourage mode shift. We have funding from Bay Trust.
"I would consider it [politics] but possibly not in the short term, not the same role.
"[Lessons learned] Probably the positive benefits of moving forward. We've got to keep finding the positive. If we don't and we keep litigating the past then how do we make this an opportunity?
"I'm still following [council] yes, especially around urban city design and transport. I'm still very interested."

Dawn Kiddie

Tauranga City councillor Dawn Kiddie. Photo / File

"I'm still doing my work in the community. I'm still a Justice of the Peace, a celebrant and a life coach and I have no intention of stopping any of the work I do for the community on a volunteer basis. I'm passionate about the community. There still needs to be a voice for the majority of the community and residents that don't speak up.
"I haven't finished with politics, it teaches you a lot. You can't learn everything in 12 months.
"I'm still a ratepayer and a resident and I'm passionate about the community, even more so with what's going on now ... I'll be fighting for the community, that's what I'll keep doing."

* Tauranga's councillors still keep their titles until the next election in 2022, but in name only. They can no longer act in their roles and have no official responsibilities.