Author: Dr Tim Maltby
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Tsunami Workshop Papamoa
TCC ran a Tsunami workshop at the Papamoa Library on Friday 14th of February 2025. A lot of staff and consultants in attendance. The previous workshop was held in Arataki. I am pleased to say that six of our councillors attended. Thank you councillors for giving up your time for this very important subject. In…
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Simeon Brown Lunch
I attended the lunch and presentation by Simeon Brown MP for Pakuranga on Tuesday 4th of February at Trinity Wharf. The lunch event was hosted by local National Party MP’s Sam Uffindel for Tauranga, and Tom Rutherford for Bay Of Plenty. Simeon Brown is minister for Auckland, Health, and State Owned Enterprises. Simeon was formerly…
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Armistice Day 2024
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day at Papamoa War Memorial on Stella Place. Don’t those navy lads look handsome in those white uniforms. Also attended by an army verteran, and an army officer from the UK. Approximately 18,000 and 12,000 kiwis died in World Wars One and Two…
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Michael Connett On Fluoridation
I attended the presentation by Michael Connett on Monday the 3rd of February in the Te Puna hall. The meeting was organised by Fluoride Free New Zealand. Michael is a US lawyer who has recently won a court case against the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over fluoride dosing of water supplies. Michael has come…
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Steve Morris Clinic
Barry Scott and I attended a clinic with Councillor Steve Morris at the Papamoa Library in December 2024. Barry is promoting community committees, as a first step towards community boards, with the first committee being setup as a trial for the Arataki and Papmaoa wards. I was along for the ride. Council is planing to…
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Gordon Spratt Shelter
We have a new shelter beside the play park at Gordon Spratt Reserve. Here local resident Barry Scott cuts the ribbon with Papamoa Rotary Club project manager Christa George. Barry initiated the project to provide shade for local moms while their children are playing on the playground. The structure provides shade, and somewhere to sit…
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Tom Rutherford MP
I spoke with Tom Rutherford National Party MP For Bay Of Plenty at his electoral office on Domain Road, Papamoa. Tom was first elected in 2023. He was formerly on the Justice and Governance select committee (which includes local government), and the Transport and Infrastructure select committee. He is currently on the Justice select committee.…
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Treaty Principles Bill Submission
Below is my submission on the Treaty Principles Bill. This is about some very important issues which affect New Zealand’s sovereignty, and the way in which we as a nation go forward. The current path that the country on is “divide and conquer” which does not bode well for the future of our democracy. The…
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Rates Cap Petition
Tauranga is struggling because of unaffordable rates. Under the long term plan, rates are set to become even more unaffordable. I have started this petition to put a rates cap on council. Please sign the petition here, and pass it on. The petition: We the undersigned petition the Council to: Council will vigorously oppose the…
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Mucking Out November 2024
Some of the little treasures that the peasants found while they were mucking out the stables. We have a petition to put a rates cap on council. Please sign the petition, and pass it on. Thanks. The council is negotiating with the Auditor General over the investigations of the Marine Precinct sale and the Devonport…
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Marine Precinct LGOIMA Requests
For those who are interested, the Marine Precinct LGOIMA request responses are listed below. Refer to Tauranga City Council LGOIMA requests to see all responses. First batch of responses not including sale documents Interim sales agreements Final Sales agreements
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Marine Precinct Updates 2024-11-22
A bit more news on the Marine Precinct. The Marine Precinct group lead by Erika Harvey, Mark Ngata and Sean Kelly have had to withdraw their legal action because of the high costs and the risk of damages being awarded. Justice is only available to people with deep pockets. The legal costs would have been…
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Do We Need A Rates Cap?
The council has been very busy. They have approved the next phase of the library building. They are soon going to approve the next phase for the museum, and they are warming up to approve the aquatic center. All wonderful stuff, except for the poor starving ratepayers who are going to have to pay for…
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Treaty Principles Bill
I am probably going to get myself into trouble here, but after all of the news about the Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi bill I thought that I would have a look at it myself. Parliament is looking for submissions on the bill by Tuesday, January 7 2025 (Sunlive Treaty Principles Bill Submissions). The…
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Maori Wards
Maori carving beside state highway 29A overlooking Rangataua Bay. I have had a query about Maori wards. I am writing as you are running for Mayor of Tauranga. 1. Do you support the Coalition Government’s plan to have binding referenda about Maori wards? 2. Do you support or oppose Maori wards in Tauranga? I think…
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Don’t Close Otumoetai Pool
The entrance to Otumoetai Pool I have had a recent query about Otumoetai Pool. I read that you are in favour of building facilities in the suburbs. What is your stance on the proposed closing of Otumoetai Pool? I am totally opposed to closing the pool. The Otumoetai pool is exactly the type of facility…
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The Marine Precinct Has Been Sold
And just like that it’s gone. Council has sold the marine precinct to an unknown buyer for an unknown price (BOP Times). No warning, no discussion, no consultation. Just now you have it, and poof, suddenly just like that, it’s gone. And they can’t tell you the details because if they did they might look…
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Our Rates For 2034
The total average residential rates, including water and Regional Council rates by 2034 is estimated at approximately $12,000 per year, or higher. The average Tauranga City Council residential rates are approximately $3500. If we add average Regional Council rates (approx. $600), and average water rates (approx. $600), the total average residential rates for 2024 are…
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Too Many Consultants
More managers means more consultants. So where we have too many managers (seagulls), we also seem to have too many consultants (ducks), all looking for food (rates). In 2022-23 Tauranga City Council spent nearly $56million on consultants (LGOIMA request /2024/q4/150524). Airport 326,538 Animal Services 16,233 Arts & Culture 2,030,759 Asset Divestment and Leveraging 104,424 Asset…
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Too Many Managers
And not enough ratepayers. Tauranga City Council has too many managers (seagulls). For the 2022-23 year there were 1033.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees working for Tauranga City Council (2023 Annual Report). Over the same period there were 190.5 managers (LGOIMA request 2024/q4/90524). This means that there are 843 non managerial staff, with one manager per…