Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says she remains committed to a return to council elections in Tauranga.

However, former Mayor Tenby Powell says his hope is that the current commission model stays in place for at least another year, a position at odds with the elected councilors which the commissioners replaced.

Following an independent review, Minister Mahuta made the decision to appoint a Commission in place of elected Tauranga City Council members in December 2020. The Commission, consisting of Anne Tolley, Bill Wasley, Stephen Selwood and Shadrach Rolleston, came into effect last February.

In November, the Urban Task Force, a group of local business owners, pleaded for the current Commission to remain in situ for longer. It was a plea that drew ire from some ratepayer groups.

The UTF argue a return to office of the elected officials could see work undertaken by the Commission, chaired by Anne Tolley, 'undone”.

Tenby agrees. When he resigned as Mayor in November 2020, he called for government intervention to solve issues in council. He believes the Commission should stay beyond October.

'I think the commissioners have done an outstanding job and have done exactly what I would have wanted to have done had we been able to work as a strategically-oriented board of directors as a council, which is what the commissioners have done,” he says.

Tenby believes the Commission has made the right decisions to 'move Tauranga forward” without being 'exposed to the petty politics” he feels undermined his leadership.

He praises the Commission for focusing on key areas like infrastructure development, housing and civic amenities, saying they have 'unearthed the fact Tauranga is 20 years” behind.

Rates have also been a major issue. Protests followed the rates hike imposed by Commissioners last year. Tenby agrees nobody wants this level of increase but suggests residents' frustration is misguided.

'Had the rates increases happened incrementally, over the last 20 years, we would not be in this pickle now,” says Tenby. 'So don't blame the Commissioners. It hasn't happened overnight.”

He says while there would be a 'very loud” minority who would oppose the decision to delay elections beyond October, the vast majority of people he speaks to are advocates for the Commission to remain.

'I can tell you honestly,” says Tenby. 'I still get hugs in the street, almost a year later, thanking me for doing exactly what happened.

'I would join a huge chorus of people who would want to see this continue.

'They do not want to see the huge progress made unwound.”

Minister Mahuta has however confirmed her intention for a return to elections. Decisions are pending on what that might look like after the Commission's exit strategy is finalized, but Mahuta did not provide clarity on dates.

'I have been clear that I would like to facilitate a smooth transition back to full local democracy,” says Mahuta.

'I will shortly be making a decision about a return to elected representation at the Tauranga City Council, to ensure the city and wider region is in the best position for the future.”

The next scheduled election is in October this year. If the Minister decides to retain the Commission for the foreseeable future that election could be delayed until 2025.

Which, according to one elected councillor, would be a 'kick in the guts” to Tauranga residents.

'It is vital for the future sake of democracy in Tauranga that free and unimpeded local government elections be held in October 2022,” says councillor and ex-deputy mayor Kelvin Clout.

'The residents and ratepayers of Tauranga should be, and must be, trusted with the important responsibility of electing those who represent them.”

Andrew Hollis, who is also an elected at-large councillor, agrees with Kelvin.

'I think we should let the ratepayers make decisions about who runs the place,” says Andrew.

Councillor John Robson is opposed to the Commission, calling the current situation 'unfortunate”. He says he used a significant sum of his own money to seek a legal view from Russell McVeagh on the Commission's appointment. He believes the October elections must take place, once the representation review is finalised in April.

Dawn Kiddie, another elected councillor, sums up her thoughts on the matter succinctly.

'Of course elections should go ahead,” says Dawn. 'We live in a democracy, don't we?”

Tauranga City Council were approached for comment.