KalDer and welcome to On the Tiles, the Herald's politics podcast. I'm your host Georgina Campbell and this is a local edition episode. On July twenty, Todong of voters will take part in their first city council election since twenty nineteen. The last council was sacked by the local government minister and replaced with commissioners whose extended term is about to end. The election is being held out of sync with national local body elections, meaning the eight general ward councilors and the mayor whom voters elect will be in power until twenty twenty eight, four years instead of the standard three. There are some high profile names in the mix, such as Olympic rowing gold medalist Mahi Drysdale and some familiar faces, including counselors who were booted out by commissioners last time. Joining us today to discuss who's who is. Assistant news director and senior journalist for The Bay of Plenty Times and Rota Daily Post. Kittie galetspek Kyoto Kitty and thanks for joining us a team.

KalDer and welcome to On the Tiles, the Herald's politics podcast. I'm your host Georgina Campbell and this is a local edition episode. On July twenty, Todong of voters will take part in their first city council election since twenty nineteen. The last council was sacked by the local government minister and replaced with commissioners whose extended term is about to end. The election is being held out of sync with national local body elections, meaning the eight general ward councilors and the mayor whom voters elect will be in power until twenty twenty eight, four years instead of the standard three. There are some high profile names in the mix, such as Olympic rowing gold medalist Mahi Drysdale and some familiar faces, including counselors who were booted out by commissioners last time. Joining us today to discuss who's who is. Assistant news director and senior journalist for The Bay of Plenty Times and Rota Daily Post. Kittie galetspek Kyoto Kitty and thanks for joining us a team.

It's good to be here.

It's good to be here.

Can we rewind a bit and start with why totong It is in this situation. Why was the last democratically elected council sacked?

Can we rewind a bit and start with why totong It is in this situation. Why was the last democratically elected council sacked?

I guess to sum it up in one word, and that would be dysfunction.

I guess to sum it up in one word, and that would be dysfunction.

So basically they were elected in twenty nineteen. In that council that was elected then pretty much spent their first year with a lot of bitter in fighting and one upmanship and I think it's quoted in the report from the.

So basically they were elected in twenty nineteen. In that council that was elected then pretty much spent their first year with a lot of bitter in fighting and one upmanship and I think it's quoted in the report from the.

Observer team as poor behavior.

Observer team as poor behavior.

And it got to such a point of dysfunction that the local government minister felt that she had to intervene, and initially she did so by appointing an observer team which basically sat in on council meetings and monitored their interactions and functionality. And at the end of that term they recommended a Crown Manager be appointed, and it was that recommendation was met with some reluctance or resistance from individual counselors for sure, and as a result.

And it got to such a point of dysfunction that the local government minister felt that she had to intervene, and initially she did so by appointing an observer team which basically sat in on council meetings and monitored their interactions and functionality. And at the end of that term they recommended a Crown Manager be appointed, and it was that recommendation was met with some reluctance or resistance from individual counselors for sure, and as a result.

Then mere tenB.

Then mere tenB.

Powell resigned, calling for commissioners to be appointed.

Powell resigned, calling for commissioners to be appointed.

And they were What was the main point of contention amongst the elected members? Was there a specific thing that they didn't disagree on or was it just a real clash of personalities.

And they were What was the main point of contention amongst the elected members? Was there a specific thing that they didn't disagree on or was it just a real clash of personalities.

Certainly the latter.

Certainly the latter.

One particular counselor told me quite frankly that if ten B. Powell was agreeing to anything, then he would vote the opposite whatever it was. So again, the Observer team mentioned in their findings that the race for the mayoralty never really ended and this was quite evident with a lot of the interactions between the councilors and the mayor, who was obviously tender power at the time.

One particular counselor told me quite frankly that if ten B. Powell was agreeing to anything, then he would vote the opposite whatever it was. So again, the Observer team mentioned in their findings that the race for the mayoralty never really ended and this was quite evident with a lot of the interactions between the councilors and the mayor, who was obviously tender power at the time.

So the council was replaced by commissioners. What is the role of a commissioner.

So the council was replaced by commissioners. What is the role of a commissioner.

Well, in this instance, their role was basically to act as elected members. They had all the powers available to them, and their main priority was to get the long term plan over the line, because there were concerns that that wasn't going to happen with the former council because of the dysfunction. So their first priority was really to get that on the go, and the second priority that they were tasked with was really to restore trust from the Totonger community in its council.

Well, in this instance, their role was basically to act as elected members. They had all the powers available to them, and their main priority was to get the long term plan over the line, because there were concerns that that wasn't going to happen with the former council because of the dysfunction. So their first priority was really to get that on the go, and the second priority that they were tasked with was really to restore trust from the Totonger community in its council.

Do you think they managed to do that?

Do you think they managed to do that?

Yeah?

Yeah?

I think so.

I think so.

I mean it's not been without contention and controversy, and there's been some pretty high profile and expensive projects that have kind of gone through under their counsemanship. But ultimately the general consensus is, yeah, people have faith in the city again, they like the direction in which it seems to be going in saying that, of course, there are pockets in the community that also feel very strongly that the commissions should shouldn't have signed up for so many things, and you know, can the city afford it.

I mean it's not been without contention and controversy, and there's been some pretty high profile and expensive projects that have kind of gone through under their counsemanship. But ultimately the general consensus is, yeah, people have faith in the city again, they like the direction in which it seems to be going in saying that, of course, there are pockets in the community that also feel very strongly that the commissions should shouldn't have signed up for so many things, and you know, can the city afford it.

So it's not without concern.

So it's not without concern.

But overall, most of the feedback I certainly come across as in favor of the commissioners and what they've done.

But overall, most of the feedback I certainly come across as in favor of the commissioners and what they've done.

And so basically they have decision making power right like a counselor would, but they still have to consult with the community in the usual way here oral submissions receive submissions and that kind of thing.

And so basically they have decision making power right like a counselor would, but they still have to consult with the community in the usual way here oral submissions receive submissions and that kind of thing.

That's an interesting one.

That's an interesting one.

I mean, technically they don't really have to, but they certainly put a lot of effort into doing that. There was a lot of consultation, a lot of community to get togethers. I went to a couple of you know, after our meetings with communities where they were held in like the you know, Mount Mong and Niui golf Club or you know, the old Hawet Wall things like that where people would gather, particularly if they were really concerned about something such as Plan Changed thirty three, which is all about intensified intensified housing at the mount. You know, these are highly contentious subjects, but the commissioners were showing up at these meetings to hear it all from the community, to get that feedback. And whether or not they took that feedback on board, you know, it's a story for another day, but there are certainly consultation there and community interaction for sure.

I mean, technically they don't really have to, but they certainly put a lot of effort into doing that. There was a lot of consultation, a lot of community to get togethers. I went to a couple of you know, after our meetings with communities where they were held in like the you know, Mount Mong and Niui golf Club or you know, the old Hawet Wall things like that where people would gather, particularly if they were really concerned about something such as Plan Changed thirty three, which is all about intensified intensified housing at the mount. You know, these are highly contentious subjects, but the commissioners were showing up at these meetings to hear it all from the community, to get that feedback. And whether or not they took that feedback on board, you know, it's a story for another day, but there are certainly consultation there and community interaction for sure.

At the very least, they showed face, which is always a good thing, I think for heated public meetings like those. So one thing that interested me in reading up before this episode is that commissioners called on the government to change the law to allow for a hybrid. Government's arrangement was four commissioners and five councilors instead of a fully elected council after this year's election. Can you just explain that proposal a little bit more and why commissioners thought that would be a good idea.

At the very least, they showed face, which is always a good thing, I think for heated public meetings like those. So one thing that interested me in reading up before this episode is that commissioners called on the government to change the law to allow for a hybrid. Government's arrangement was four commissioners and five councilors instead of a fully elected council after this year's election. Can you just explain that proposal a little bit more and why commissioners thought that would be a good idea.

Yeah, so it was of one of the options that they were considering, but it was certainly a favored one, and I recall and telling me a little while ago, some of the theory behind that was ultimately to ensure that there was continuity with projects.

Yeah, so it was of one of the options that they were considering, but it was certainly a favored one, and I recall and telling me a little while ago, some of the theory behind that was ultimately to ensure that there was continuity with projects.

So as I think.

So as I think.

Everyone's a weird, Toto is going through a bit of a transformation right.

Everyone's a weird, Toto is going through a bit of a transformation right.

Where we're not the small little town it once was. We were quite thrive and sitting.

Where we're not the small little town it once was. We were quite thrive and sitting.

We've got a lot of population and that population set to so the commissioners have done a lot of things or put thing a lot of things in place to really pay for that, and there was serious concerns that their work would be reversed or undone if the council was a fully democratically elected council in this year's election.

We've got a lot of population and that population set to so the commissioners have done a lot of things or put thing a lot of things in place to really pay for that, and there was serious concerns that their work would be reversed or undone if the council was a fully democratically elected council in this year's election.

Okay, And that sort of idea was met with a bit of pushback, wasn't it. Former Tato in Greek brownness was pretty unimpressed. What did he say?

Okay, And that sort of idea was met with a bit of pushback, wasn't it. Former Tato in Greek brownness was pretty unimpressed. What did he say?

Yeah?

Yeah?

So well, Greg, he's an interesting one because he's been quite open about the fact that he's not against the appointment of the commissioners in the first place necessary necessarily forgive me, but rather his concern was about their extension or their reappointment, which took away the last elections for Toto on the city, which is why we're having an election this year, which is out of sink of everybody else. But his big concern is democracy, So and that was kind of overruling the threat of whoever may be re elected or elected in this year's election, So long as there was an election and everybody there was democratically elected, that that was his big concern, and he felt that the commissioners had already robbed the city of democracy by their reappointment preventing that former election.

So well, Greg, he's an interesting one because he's been quite open about the fact that he's not against the appointment of the commissioners in the first place necessary necessarily forgive me, but rather his concern was about their extension or their reappointment, which took away the last elections for Toto on the city, which is why we're having an election this year, which is out of sink of everybody else. But his big concern is democracy, So and that was kind of overruling the threat of whoever may be re elected or elected in this year's election, So long as there was an election and everybody there was democratically elected, that that was his big concern, and he felt that the commissioners had already robbed the city of democracy by their reappointment preventing that former election.

That's probably a convoluted way of explaining it.

That's probably a convoluted way of explaining it.

No, I know what you're saying. It's sort of like, you know, these commissions have already gained an extension which has probably controversial and questionable in itself. You know, let's call time on that. We don't now need a hybrid model as well. And of course democracy did win. What did Local Government Minister Simeon Brown have to say? How did he respond to these ideas flowsh ay the commissioners?

No, I know what you're saying. It's sort of like, you know, these commissions have already gained an extension which has probably controversial and questionable in itself. You know, let's call time on that. We don't now need a hybrid model as well. And of course democracy did win. What did Local Government Minister Simeon Brown have to say? How did he respond to these ideas flowsh ay the commissioners?

Pretty simply, it's basically he was just he ruled it out. He ruled out any notion of a hybrid council. It was very quick to say that he wanted to see Totong a return to full democracy and yeah.

Pretty simply, it's basically he was just he ruled it out. He ruled out any notion of a hybrid council. It was very quick to say that he wanted to see Totong a return to full democracy and yeah.

That was it, full stop. Okay.

That was it, full stop. Okay.

So after all of that, now that it's been confirmed that Totongo will indeed return to fully elected governance. How do people in the community feel about that, Like, are they looking forward to a return to democracy or is there a little bit of maybe unsurreness about, you know, a fully elected council after its most recent experience.

So after all of that, now that it's been confirmed that Totongo will indeed return to fully elected governance. How do people in the community feel about that, Like, are they looking forward to a return to democracy or is there a little bit of maybe unsurreness about, you know, a fully elected council after its most recent experience.

I think the big thing is a lot of people don't want the same hygendts as what happened in twenty nineteen and twenty and so, yes, most people that I've come across certainly are quite keen the elections. They think we're ready for it now, but there is some concern that it could be I guess there's a threat of history repeating itself.

I think the big thing is a lot of people don't want the same hygendts as what happened in twenty nineteen and twenty and so, yes, most people that I've come across certainly are quite keen the elections. They think we're ready for it now, but there is some concern that it could be I guess there's a threat of history repeating itself.

Yeah, And this is so interesting because some members of the council who were replaced with commissioners want their jobs back, right, which I think is potentially maybe what you're alluding to with history repeating itself. How are they making their case for a second chance, Like I find that quite bizarre.

Yeah, And this is so interesting because some members of the council who were replaced with commissioners want their jobs back, right, which I think is potentially maybe what you're alluding to with history repeating itself. How are they making their case for a second chance, Like I find that quite bizarre.

Yes, yeah, it is an interesting one. I think the common theme among each of the individual councilors who are running again, from what they've told me, it's very much that they've got that local government experience and that's something that they feel tote on the needs they need. The city needs people on council who have the experience of local government and civic procedure and such. I think everyone that I've spoken to that's running again is aware that there's been a big push for fresh faces and new blood, so to speak. And while some agree with it and some don't, they are all pretty much of the same opinion that regardless, experience is important.

Yes, yeah, it is an interesting one. I think the common theme among each of the individual councilors who are running again, from what they've told me, it's very much that they've got that local government experience and that's something that they feel tote on the needs they need. The city needs people on council who have the experience of local government and civic procedure and such. I think everyone that I've spoken to that's running again is aware that there's been a big push for fresh faces and new blood, so to speak. And while some agree with it and some don't, they are all pretty much of the same opinion that regardless, experience is important.

Interesting, even if the experience is ending up being sacked. Former Mayor Timbi Powell is among them, although he's only running to be a counselor, Is that right, not the mayor?

Interesting, even if the experience is ending up being sacked. Former Mayor Timbi Powell is among them, although he's only running to be a counselor, Is that right, not the mayor?

Correct?

Correct?

Yeah, So what does he have to say, because obviously his resignation was very high profile.

Yeah, So what does he have to say, because obviously his resignation was very high profile.

Yes, it was, and he certainly took a lot of consideration with whether or not to run again. But he's ultimately wanting to see to move forward in a progressive, positive way, and he feels that if he can run in the council, and I guess offers some more choice for voters, then that then that will help contribute to that end result. He also she is concerns about some of the other former counselors running again and potentially being successful.

Yes, it was, and he certainly took a lot of consideration with whether or not to run again. But he's ultimately wanting to see to move forward in a progressive, positive way, and he feels that if he can run in the council, and I guess offers some more choice for voters, then that then that will help contribute to that end result. He also she is concerns about some of the other former counselors running again and potentially being successful.

So let's have a look at the mayor race because there are some really high profile names that people will be familiar with, including Mahi Drysdale, a two time gold medalist and five time world rowing champion. Why is he running this one surprised me.

So let's have a look at the mayor race because there are some really high profile names that people will be familiar with, including Mahi Drysdale, a two time gold medalist and five time world rowing champion. Why is he running this one surprised me.

Yeah, well, you know, he grew up here.

Yeah, well, you know, he grew up here.

Mahei is a celebrated son of Tarranger, I guess you could say, although he's very open with the fact that he hasn't lived there for twenty two years.

Mahei is a celebrated son of Tarranger, I guess you could say, although he's very open with the fact that he hasn't lived there for twenty two years.

Also, but he does have close ties here. A lot of family of.

Also, but he does have close ties here. A lot of family of.

His live here and as I'm sure you'll be aware, his grandfather is the late served Bob Owens and he's held in.

His live here and as I'm sure you'll be aware, his grandfather is the late served Bob Owens and he's held in.

Quite high regard here on the local level.

Quite high regard here on the local level.

So he was the mayor of both Mount Monganoui and Tarronga back in the day when they were separate entities.

So he was the mayor of both Mount Monganoui and Tarronga back in the day when they were separate entities.

And yeah, he's highly respected.

And yeah, he's highly respected.

So local governance is not that much of a stranger to Marhe because it is in his family. His uncle is also running for the mayoral tea as well, which makes things interesting. But yes, ultimately Marhey's really keen on seeing Partonger grow and become basically a city that could be the envy of others, So.

So local governance is not that much of a stranger to Marhe because it is in his family. His uncle is also running for the mayoral tea as well, which makes things interesting. But yes, ultimately Marhey's really keen on seeing Partonger grow and become basically a city that could be the envy of others, So.

What's the rivalry light between him and his uncle? That is interesting.

What's the rivalry light between him and his uncle? That is interesting.

Yeah, yeah, I think we've both been quite diplomatic about it when I've had a chat with them about the situation. As marhe they both kind of want the best for the city, but they do have different ideas on how to potentially get there, So there's a healthy respect there, of course, you know your family.

Yeah, yeah, I think we've both been quite diplomatic about it when I've had a chat with them about the situation. As marhe they both kind of want the best for the city, but they do have different ideas on how to potentially get there, So there's a healthy respect there, of course, you know your family.

Yeah, but you know.

Yeah, but you know.

They do have different ideas as to what it is best for the city.

They do have different ideas as to what it is best for the city.

Is there any clear differentiation between their ideas that you can think of off the top of your head.

Is there any clear differentiation between their ideas that you can think of off the top of your head.

I would imagine probably their biggest difference is money. I know, Mahey's really big on growth whereas Doug's. You know, he's big on growth and success too, but he's very mindful about spending money, particularly ratepayers money.

I would imagine probably their biggest difference is money. I know, Mahey's really big on growth whereas Doug's. You know, he's big on growth and success too, but he's very mindful about spending money, particularly ratepayers money.

There's also award winning Maldie musician Ria Hall. She made a splash when she announced her bit. Can you tell me a bit more about her and why she's running?

There's also award winning Maldie musician Ria Hall. She made a splash when she announced her bit. Can you tell me a bit more about her and why she's running?

Yeah, So Rea effectively embodies change. I suppose it's for note on her and she knows it too. A big part of her campaign is, you know, she's standing for change for the city and she's been quite open with saying, you know, Totong a city chambers haven't said that, you know, it's not seen a face like hers at the helm before. And she's she's really aware that Titong has grown, and as it's grown, so as it's different communities. So she's all about inclusiveness and she really thinks that the time is right for the council to be a bit more diverse, a bit more inclusive and a bit more representative of you know, Titong is population makeup as it is now as opposed to what it was twenty years ago.

Yeah, So Rea effectively embodies change. I suppose it's for note on her and she knows it too. A big part of her campaign is, you know, she's standing for change for the city and she's been quite open with saying, you know, Totong a city chambers haven't said that, you know, it's not seen a face like hers at the helm before. And she's she's really aware that Titong has grown, and as it's grown, so as it's different communities. So she's all about inclusiveness and she really thinks that the time is right for the council to be a bit more diverse, a bit more inclusive and a bit more representative of you know, Titong is population makeup as it is now as opposed to what it was twenty years ago.

And her else is running for the mayor. She you know that might be considered to be a front runner.

And her else is running for the mayor. She you know that might be considered to be a front runner.

Well so those you know, obviously we've got Ria and Mahe and you know their front runners just from name recognition alone.

Well so those you know, obviously we've got Ria and Mahe and you know their front runners just from name recognition alone.

I mean in terms of branding.

I mean in terms of branding.

Yeah, it's it's a good idea, but we shouldn't write off that.

Yeah, it's it's a good idea, but we shouldn't write off that.

You know, the former councilor is either.

You know, the former councilor is either.

So we've got former de Kaddy mere Tenna Salisbury and I think she was the first of all the candidates to put her hand up and say yep, I'm running for the mayoral Tea and she'll have a certain backing.

So we've got former de Kaddy mere Tenna Salisbury and I think she was the first of all the candidates to put her hand up and say yep, I'm running for the mayoral Tea and she'll have a certain backing.

Behind her from people who felt that she was on the right track. She didn't really get.

Behind her from people who felt that she was on the right track. She didn't really get.

Too caught up in a lot of the politics, I suppose, and and the dysfunction from the former council, even though she was part of the former council. A lot of the stuff is more reactive rather than proactive on her behalf. But then we've also got you know, former Mere Greg Browness in the running, and he's very much like a bit of a I guess you could say, a community advocate, and he likes to, you know, stand for the rights of others and stand up and say, hey, this isn't right. We need democracy back. So he he'll have certain backing from certain pockets in society that you know, they didn't really agree with the commissioners and the spending for big projects and things like that. And of course we'll have a former Counselor, John Robson, who's running for the mayoralty as well as a counselor seat, and he's long been vocal about the Commissioners and his concerns about their decisions and their spending.

Too caught up in a lot of the politics, I suppose, and and the dysfunction from the former council, even though she was part of the former council. A lot of the stuff is more reactive rather than proactive on her behalf. But then we've also got you know, former Mere Greg Browness in the running, and he's very much like a bit of a I guess you could say, a community advocate, and he likes to, you know, stand for the rights of others and stand up and say, hey, this isn't right. We need democracy back. So he he'll have certain backing from certain pockets in society that you know, they didn't really agree with the commissioners and the spending for big projects and things like that. And of course we'll have a former Counselor, John Robson, who's running for the mayoralty as well as a counselor seat, and he's long been vocal about the Commissioners and his concerns about their decisions and their spending.

So yeah, it's I.

So yeah, it's I.

Mean, there's fifteen candidates all in all, but I would suggest those would be the ones to probably keep an eye on.

Mean, there's fifteen candidates all in all, but I would suggest those would be the ones to probably keep an eye on.

WOW fifteen. So what sort of campaign are you expecting in the weeks ahead and or you know, what are the issues that are going to crop up in the campaign do you think?

WOW fifteen. So what sort of campaign are you expecting in the weeks ahead and or you know, what are the issues that are going to crop up in the campaign do you think?

Well, housing and infrastructure are probably the two big subjects that any candidate with this soul will probably say is a problem, because clearly that's what tod On is big challenges are, but it's how they tackle them which will be the real clinch. I think the campaign is going to be interesting. I think it could get quite messy. Georgina. I think that it's pretty quiet at the moment. For you know, we've got eighty six candidates and right now there's a lot of people who don't know anything about them at this stage, and there's only very much a handful of that that are really being quite proactive and you know.

Well, housing and infrastructure are probably the two big subjects that any candidate with this soul will probably say is a problem, because clearly that's what tod On is big challenges are, but it's how they tackle them which will be the real clinch. I think the campaign is going to be interesting. I think it could get quite messy. Georgina. I think that it's pretty quiet at the moment. For you know, we've got eighty six candidates and right now there's a lot of people who don't know anything about them at this stage, and there's only very much a handful of that that are really being quite proactive and you know.

Holding.

Holding.

Public meetings and getting out there and signage and things like that. I think people will probably wait a little while before really getting into it, and maybe that's a reflection of experience or lack of but we do have a lot of fresh faces now, so I think the fresh faces are going to offer a lot of opportunity for people for more familiar faces that could be where things had to get a bit dirty.

Public meetings and getting out there and signage and things like that. I think people will probably wait a little while before really getting into it, and maybe that's a reflection of experience or lack of but we do have a lot of fresh faces now, so I think the fresh faces are going to offer a lot of opportunity for people for more familiar faces that could be where things had to get a bit dirty.

Oh, I have to wait and see. Thank you so much for joining us, Kenny, I really appreciate it my pleasure. Thanks for listening to this episod of On the Tiles Local Edition. For more local politics, news and opinion, head toinzidherld dot co dot NZID. You can follow this podcast on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks to my producer, Ethan Sills. This episode was edited by n z mesound Engineers and you can catch us again next Friday for more On the Tiles

Oh, I have to wait and see. Thank you so much for joining us, Kenny, I really appreciate it my pleasure. Thanks for listening to this episod of On the Tiles Local Edition. For more local politics, news and opinion, head toinzidherld dot co dot NZID. You can follow this podcast on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks to my producer, Ethan Sills. This episode was edited by n z mesound Engineers and you can catch us again next Friday for more On the Tiles