Happy New Year, everyone! To mark the beginning of 2025, Aleyna Martinez asks some Tauranga leaders what they want to see for the city this year. Some responses have been edited for length.
Mahé Drysdale - Tauranga Mayor
After nearly six months as mayor, I’m now very familiar with Tauranga’s issues and challenges, as well as the many opportunities we have to make our city a great place to live, work, learn and play in.
In 2025, I want to continue to revitalise Tauranga. The city centre is taking shape and there’s still so much to look forward to.
Our focus is to balance the council’s operational budget and deliver as much as we can within our financial constraints, while still investing in the things that will make this a great city.
I want to work with the Government to reach a regional deal that will help fix our housing crisis and the traffic woes we are struggling with.
Finally, I hope Kiwis and international visitors will come and visit our fantastic city, check out our unique lifestyle and support our great businesses.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.
Paora Stanley - Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive
Let’s stop being afraid!It’s okay to feel inadequate, under-skilled, or a little financially “meh” - what matters is knowing where we’re going and why.
Serving people is the greatest honour, so here’s my challenge: Before every decision this New Year, big or small, ask yourself, “Is this good for our people?”
2025 isn’t about cutbacks or shrinking opportunities - it’s about baking a bigger pie. Harvard University research says don’t fight for slices; make the pie huge so everyone gets a bite.
Our services since day one have been open to all who call Tauranga Moana home.
Last year alone 11,275 people used them and most were just ordinary Kiwis needing a hand.
So let’s flip the script: Be bold, inclusive, and unstoppable. Make 2025 different - not just for you, but for everyone around you.
Now, go grab your rolling pin and let’s bake.
Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley. Photo / Alex Cairns
Sam Uffindell, MP for Tauranga
The end of a year is a great time to reflect and look ahead to what 2025 may bring for Tauranga.
In 2024 we saw incredible resilience and community spirit. From local businesses continuing to innovate to community projects progressing and coming to life, Tauranga’s strength shines through. While we’ve made progress, there’s always more to do - and I’m optimistic about what we can achieve together next year.
As we celebrate the New Year, I encourage everyone to connect with loved ones, enjoy our beautiful city, and look out for each other. Please stay safe on the roads and take care around our waterways. Let’s make this season one of fun, good times, and great memories.
Here’s to a safe and exciting 2025.
Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell and his family.
Tom Rutherford - MP for Bay of Plenty
I get what it’s like living here - the good and challenging bits - which is why I made meeting with locals my top priority in 2024.
Having a regular stand at the Pāpāmoa Community Markets has been a highlight - I’ve loved chatting with everyone. My coffee catch-ups at cafes have led to meaningful conversations and real action on important issues, while my retirement village clinics made it easier for residents to share their thoughts. I’m grateful to everyone who has got in touch or met with me at my local electorate office.
In 2025, the region will continue to see progress with the Roads of National Significance projects - including Tauriko West SH29, Stage One of the Takitimu North Link, and improvements to Omanawa Bridge, Welcome Bay Rd and Turret Rd.
Here’s to working together to make the Bay of Plenty an even better place to live.
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford.
Rawiri Waititi - MP for Waiariki, Te Patī Māori co-leader
Kia ora e ngā uri o te Waiariki. Tēnei te tuku aroha ki ngā mate o te tau - haere, haere, whakangaro atu rā.
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to acknowledge the challenges and triumphs we’ve faced as a nation. It has been a brutal year for te iwi Māori, but one that has shown us the strength of kotahitanga - our unity.
Whether in Parliament, out on the many activations, or through submissions, we have all worked hard to uphold the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and safeguard an Aotearoa Hou for our mokopuna.
It is an honour to represent the Waiariki electorate in Te Whare Paremata. I thank you for your support and belief in our movement.
We must take this time to recharge, be present with your whānau, and most importantly, before January 7, submit in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.
MP for Waiariki and Te Patī Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi. Photo / Erica Sinclair
Luke Bradford - medical director, Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
I would like to see a real improvement in access to health services in the Bay. Current waits for hospital appointments and surgery are not acceptable for a developed country. GPs are desperate to see patients getting timely care.
Real change in how we design and fund the health system is needed rather than continuous restructuring. More emphasis should go into preventing disease and the progression of chronic conditions. Every $1 spent in primary care saves $14 in hospitals.
We must increase access to general practices and urgent care, increase clinician numbers and relieve the cost burden on the public.
Council investment is needed in better walking and riding options, and it is time big companies stepped up and funded facilities for our city.
I would also love to see the city deliver infrastructure projects quicker and better, and to stop revisiting clear decisions like the Memorial Park pool and fluoridation.
Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners medical director and Tauranga GP Dr Luke Bradford. Photo / Mead Norton
Simone Anderson - director, The Incubator Creative Hub
If 2025 were an artwork, I’d envision a masterpiece that depicts the Bay of Plenty as a vibrant hub of arts, culture and transformation.
I wish for a creative community flourishing from the grassroots up with increased accessibility and support for local artists at every level, allowing diverse voices and talents to emerge and thrive.
I hope that as we see significant investments into long-awaited institutions for arts and culture, this is balanced with essential holistic support reaching across the entire demographic spectrum.
I wish for equal opportunities and platforms for audiences across all neighbourhoods and demographics - everyone deserves the opportunity to express their creativity.
I wish for increased opportunities for people to engage and participate in accessible, fulfilling arts experiences.
I’d wish for community arts and community-led creative initiatives to continue to succeed in delivering wonderful outcomes, and growing a healthy socially connected and nourished community.
Happy New Year!
Simone Anderson, director at the Incubator Creative Hub.
Liz Davies - general manager, SocialLink
It has been a tough year for many local social service providers and for-purpose organisations, with funding drops and increased costs forcing some to downsize or close despite growing demand.
I wish these organisations were visible and valued for their incredible work. They are the invisible glue helping bring communities together, but people often don’t know about them until they need help.
Most people are only three steps away from being on Struggle Street – think redundancy, illness, divorce.
The perception that everyone in Tauranga is well-to-do masks significant pockets of deprivation – people who struggle to pay rent and buy food.
I wish we are all compassionate and empathetic for them. Don’t assume it’s their fault – systemic factors such as racism, sexism and other ‘isms’ may be in play.
Let’s take a leaf out of Te Ao Māori and practise unity, kotahitanga – together we are strong, divided we are weak.
Liz Davies, general manager for Socialink. Photo / NZME
Matt Cowley - chief executive, Tauranga Business Chamber
A funded plan to fix the daily gridlock on Hewletts Rd is top priority.
This congestion strangles regional and national productivity as Tauranga is NZ’s export gateway.
But there isn’t even funding for a business case, meaning improvements are several years away.
Secondly, small businesses are the lifeblood of Tauranga, but red tape and a lack of tech adoption hold them back.
Empowering small businesses must be a priority this year.
Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley. Photo / Mead Norton
Aleyna Martinez is a multimedia journalist based in the Bay of Plenty. She moved to the region in 2024 and has previously reported in Wairarapa and at Pacific Media Network.
