Tania Tapsell has claimed mayoral victory in Rotorua. Video / NZ Herald
Reversing Rotorua's reserves proposal, scrapping its Māori wards representation bill and agitating for action on emergency housing are items at the top of the list for Tania Tapsell's first 100 days as mayor.
Progress results for the 2022 Rotorua district council election showed a decisive win for Tapsell on Saturday, with 6254 votes, a lead on closest rival Fletcher Tabuteau of 2862 votes.
At her election party at Rotorua's five-star Pullman Hotel, Tapsell gathered supporters to "welcome" them, but surprised them with the result.
"I just got a phone call to say I am going to be your future mayor of Rotorua."
Afterwards, she told Local Democracy Reporting she was ready to get to work.
"We have a plan and we need to start moving forward."
At Tunohopu Marae on Sunday, Tapsell said she was still feeling "pure excitement and joy" at her election win, but was also "just feeling really ready".
Tapsell was asked what her top three priorities were for her first 100 days in the job.
"The local bill to sell the reserves is in the process of being drafted at the moment - it has not yet been put forward.
"It's a decision of the new council to say, 'We no longer want to proceed with that'.
Tania Tapsell and supporters on Saturday afternoon. Photo / Alan Gibson
"It would be easy for us to reverse it. I need to go speak with the new councillors, but what I did really enjoy is ... through this campaign, none of those new councillors were talking about keeping the proposal to sell the reserves.
"We will protect the reserves and reverse that decision."
She was also looking forward to "getting rid of this 'emergency housing motels situation' here in Rotorua".
"There is a genuine need for some sort of emergency housing for our locals, but the way that these motels are operating is just simply not working for Rotorua or our reputation."
"For those buildings that are known to be dangerous or a fire hazard to be notified as a dangerous building, which gives them 10 days notice, and those need to either be shut down, no longer be used as residential [properties], or upgraded to meet those standards. I think that's very fair."
"When we're having things like ram-raids in Rotorua, it's just simply not okay."
She understood from speaking with people in the police that "the people they are picking up for these crimes are from emergency housing motels ... not originally from Rotorua".
"I do think the previous leadership of [the] council has been supportive and enabling of emergency housing.
"We did that during the first lockdown - we helped to look after all known homeless [people] in Rotorua with those two motels. But using over 50 motels for emergency housing, the question has to be asked: What is the exit strategy, and when will that happen?
"There'll be a very different view that I look forward to bringing as the new mayor."
She said her third priority was making sure new councillors "actually get to have their say" by meeting with them to learn their priorities.
"We'll have our arguments, we certainly will, but at the end of the day we're all trying to achieve the same thing, and that's a better Rotorua for all.
"If we all work together, we will see that progress. Gone are the times in politics where we waste our time arguing around the table with each other - we actually need to argue together, and fight some of these tough issues in Rotorua."
Former Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick. Photo / Ben Fraser
She said it was also important councillors had their say, even if there were disagreements regarding what they had to say.
"I would like to have a really open and transparent council, not only towards the public, but also internally as well. I do want to see those discussions able to be had."
"Anyone on the Māori ward could only vote for three [candidates]; anyone in the rural area could only vote for one. This is why I voted against Māori wards and why I was against wards in general, because they do restrict the vote."
She said rates were unlikely to decrease due to the financial commitments the council had already made, along with other pressures, but she hoped they would "stabilise".
She said the council needed to tighten its belt like the community already was.
Tania Tapsell. Photo / Felix Desmarais / LDR
"I don't want to see [rates] continuing to increase, but I do need to be realistic that a rates decrease is probably not possible."
Local Democracy Reporting asked Tapsell if she would commit to renewing the lease of the Springfield golf course, a controversial issue when its destruction was proposed last term in order to make way for a sports precinct and housing.
Tapsell said since there were still five years left on the lease, it would be unusual to renew it so far ahead in time and it would likely be a decision for the next council.
However, she said there were no plans for the development of housing or sports fields.
"As long as I am mayor, that golf course will remain as it is: as important green space [and] recreational activity for all of our golf lovers."
The Rotorua Museum and its blown budget was also a hot topic, and Tapsell confirmed one idea she had was for the Government to take ownership - and therefore liability for - the "nationally significant" building.
Tapsell said she had spent about $23,000 on her campaign, made up of personal funds and donations. None of the money had come from the National Party and she had not sought it.
Tapsell said her affiliation with the National Party did not have a bearing on her role as mayor, nor did she believe it would be a roadblock to discussions with the current Government.
"I am very open with criticising the way our emergency housing motels have operated - no matter what government that was, I would have criticised.
"We must work together, but we also must be a strong voice for Rotorua when things are not working."
She said she did not yet have any close relationships with figures in Government, but looked forward to establishing them.
As mayoral hopefuls Reynold Macpherson and Raj Kumar did not stand for councillor roles, both are now off the council as they were unsuccessful in their mayoral bids.
LIGHTER SIDE OF POLITICS - YOUR NEW MAYOR
• Likes to watch 'Masterclass', online videos on skill development • Favourite song is J Cole's 'No Role Models' • Last overseas holiday was about three years ago to Rarotonga for a wedding • Comfort food is Thai food, such as laksa or curry • To relax, she likes to run in the forest or fish on one of Rotorua's lakes
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME Second place: Fletcher Tabuteau - "It has been a massive campaign. I am really proud of what I have done and I can't thank the people around me enough. I think it is important people put their hand up and be counted, and that is what I did." Third place: Ben Sandford - "I'm really disappointed and gutted. I wish Tania all the luck, she ran a good campaign and I hope she [and the council] does well ... for Rotorua." He did not rule out running for mayor again in 2025. Fourth place: Reynold Macpherson - "Given the problems Rotorua is facing, in some sense I have dodged a bullet". Fifth place: Raj Kumar - "We just need to get behind [Tapsell] now and see what she can achieve."
