Lobbying For Good with Erika Harvey

With the election finished, Tauranga now welcomes its first set of elected representatives in nearly five years.

The excitement is palpable, though there are some surprises.

With only one woman elected, a phenomenon some are calling ‘the Tolley effect’, and a lower voter turnout than expected, it will be interesting to see how these next four years unfold.

Lobby for Good sent an email to all candidates, asking them to commit to transparent and accountable governance, particularly highlighting decisions made and assets sold under the commissioners’ reign.

It’s encouraging to see many of those who’ve taken their spots on council are committed to being transparent and opening the books so we can collectively understand our financial situation.

Some candidates mentioned a $3B deficit while other candidates state that’s incredibly inaccurate, so residents would like to know…what is the actuality of our situation?

As residents bear the brunt of these decisions, especially in this challenging economic climate, the stress is felt by everyone.

Young people, in particular, often hear their parents worrying about how they’ll put food on the table and pay the bills to keep a safe home. Instead of shouldering this stress, young people should be free to enjoy their lives and focus on their futures.

Councillors and the newly elected mayor must remember to put people at the forefront of their decisions.

Mental health and wellbeing are crucial, and while our city needs to grow it must do so at a pace that brings everyone along.

Our youth panel at Youth Voices Action is ready to offer their fresh perspectives and insights to ensure their voices have a seat at the table in the decision-making process.

Let’s ensure Tauranga’s future is mindful, community-focused, and representative of everyone.