Six events will share the direction being taken and invite feedback and questions on the Annual Plan 2026-27 and seek direction as Council prepares for the next Long-term Plan.
The Annual Plan maintains the direction set through the Long term Plan 2024–34 but brings in Council’s focus on affordability and value for money. It ensures essential services are maintained while progressing key infrastructure, responding to growth related demand, wider cost pressures, and ongoing recovery and resilience work.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale says engaging directly with the community is an important part of that process.
“These events give people the opportunity to hear directly from us about where we’re heading, ask questions, and share what matters most as we plan for the year ahead.
“We know there are real trade offs and pressures involved, and it’s important we stay connected with our communities as we make decisions about rates, services and investment.”
Six 'Engaging with our People' events will be held across Tauranga, starting in Welcome Bay on Wednesday 13 May.
The sessions provide opportunities for residents to hear directly from elected members, take part in conversations about the city’s direction, investment and priorities, and ask questions about Council’s work.
Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular says the events offer direct, transparent engagement.
“These sessions are about open, honest conversations with our people.
“We’re creating space for people to engage directly with us as their elected members, to understand the choices in front of Tauranga, and more importantly, allows people to share back to us what matters most to them.”
As a growing city, Tauranga continues to face increasing demand for infrastructure alongside broader cost pressures. Council says this requires careful balancing of investment, service levels and affordability.
The proposed average rates increase for 2026/27 is 7.5%, reduced from an earlier Long term Plan forecast of around 10.9% following decisions by elected members to respond to calls for value for money and affordability.
Because the Annual Plan does not propose significant changes from the Long term Plan, a formal consultation process is not required under the Local Government Act.
Instead, Council is engaging with residents through the 'Engaging with our People' sessions and a statistically representative survey of 1000 residents.
The survey is being conducted by an independent provider and is intended to provide insight into priorities, service levels and affordability, complementing the in person engagement.
Jen says combining face to face engagement with survey feedback is designed to provide both depth and breadth of insight.
“Engaging with our People is about creating space for conversation, while the survey ensures we hear from a broad cross section of the community.
“Together, they give us a clearer picture of our people’s priorities to support the decisions we will make for the city.”
Event details and more information.
Engaging with our People – event schedule
The engagement sessions will vary in format. Some are informal drop-in opportunities, while others are structured townhall-style presentations followed by Q&A.
- Welcome Bay (drop-in session)
Wednesday 13 May, 11am to 12pm
Welcome Bay Community Centre
- Pāpāmoa and Arataki (townhall)
Tuesday 19 May, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Pāpāmoa Community Centre, Tohorā Room
- Tauriko (drop-in session)
Friday 22 May, 9.00am to 10.00am
Bosco Café
- Te Awanui (marae-based session)
Friday 22 May, 1.00pm to 3.30pm
Hairini Marae, pōhiri from 1.00pm
- Bethlehem, Ōtūmoetai and Matua (townhall)
Tuesday 26 May, 7.00pm to 8.30pm
Tauranga Bridge Club
- Te Papa (city townhall)
Thursday 28 May, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
University of Waikato, Te Manawaroa Room