Mayor Mahe Drysdale spoke at the Mount Maunganui Ratepayers Residents and Retailers (MRRR) meeting on Thursday the 15th of May 2025.
The Mayor has bought a house in Papamoa, and the family are moving in at the end of the year. Mayoress Juliette is finishing her teacher training at Waikato University this year. Juliette is planing to relief teach initially so that she has more time with the three children, particularly while they settle in to their new surroundings.
We are looking at a 10-12% rates increase for 2025-26. Local Government NZ (LGNZ) is proposing a finance arrangement for ratepayers who cannot afford their rates, a reverse mortgage in effect.
There is a lot of concern that the massive rates increases are going to force ratepayers to sell up and leave Tauranga. What is the Mayors vision for the future of Tauranga and the Mount, and does that vision include the exising residents, or do we have to go? Does the vision include the old Mount Main Street, or will it be replaced by high rise?
The government has proposed capping rates increases. What does the Mayor think about rates caps.
Tauranga has one of the highest debt levels of any council in New Zealand. Is the debt level sustainable?
There are major problems with Council’s procurement process. Is Council intending to improve the procurement process?
Council prefers a multi council CCO or Council Controlled Organisation for water.
There have been a number of spectacular failures by previous councils and the commissioners. Does this council intend to investigate those failures ofr lessons learnt, and to help ensure that similar failures do not occur in the future.