The changes form part of Council’s response to rising operating costs and the need to achieve ongoing savings across all its budgets in the face of a cost-of-living crisis.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the decisions were not taken lightly and reflect a careful balance between financial responsibility and community wellbeing.
“Council is focused on doing the right thing by our residents, maintaining core services while also being realistic about what we can afford,” Mahé says.
“These changes allow us to restrain rates increases while continuing to invest in the services that matter most to Tauranga’s future.”
As part of the adopted service level changes Greerton Library and Papamoa Library will close on Sundays and Ōtūmoetai Pool will also close on Sundays.
The library Sunday closures will begin from 1 August 2026. The Tauranga Library will continue to be open on Sundays with free weekend parking in the city centre.
These changes reflect lower utilisation during Sunday operating hours and will deliver savings while retaining services during peak weekday and Saturday periods.
“By adjusting operating hours where demand is lower, we are making smarter use of ratepayer funding while still ensuring communities have access to these valued facilities during the times they are most used,” Mahé says.
Council will also reduce the number of adult-focused library events, education, and outreach programmes.
“Libraries are an important community hub, and these changes enable us to protect essential services while developing library programmes in a sustainable way.”
The closure of the libraries on Sunday will realise a saving of $114,736, the closure of Ōtūmoetai pool on a Sunday will save $26,000.
To help manage financial pressures in the 2026/27-year, Council reduced rates funding into events by $500,000 but also decided to draw $300,000 from the Events Reserve to reduce the impact on the events that it supports.
“Using a portion of the Events Reserve gives us breathing space in the short-term and helps soften the impact on ratepayers,” Mahé says.
“It’s about using every tool available to manage costs responsibly. We acknowledge the changes may be disappointing for some residents but emphasise they are part of a broader strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
“These decisions help put Tauranga on a more stable footing while we continue investing in growth, infrastructure and the services our city relies on,” Mahé says.
The proposed changes will be included in the 2026/27 Annual Plan along with:
- Reducing three external climate-related grant funds saving $85,000
- A 10% reduction across all community grant funding streams saving $276,100
- A $180,000 saving by reducing the operational co-funding for TECT and Huharua Park
- Introducing a hybrid grass-edging/weeding model saving $220,000
These outward facing cuts are in addition to significant savings found within the organisation.
“It’s a tough time financially for most people and we have to look to save costs where we can,” says Mahé.
The council papers on the decisions can be found here: Information released from public excluded sessions - Tauranga City Council