Tauranga has suffered from under-investment in its infrastructure and community facilities for decades, says Stephen Selwood, one of the four commissioners of the city appointed by Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta.
"The downside of that [under-investment] is that we pay in other ways," Selwood said.
"If we don't invest in our future we pay with congested roads, the cost of houses are really high, the water services are not what they need to be."
In this Local Focus video, Selwood says the commission has tough decisions to make if the city is going to thrive into the future.