Tauranga Central is known to be incredibly quiet since Covid-19 and the ongoing construction and road works.
Sam Uffindell wants to remind Tauranga that there are sunny years ahead and not all has been lost in the city centre.
Wharf Street is perfectly designed for meeting with family and friends for food or coffee, says the Tauranga MP.
“I want to build awareness of how good it is in here.
“Sometimes I bring my kids in here and we go to the playground and get some food. They quite like the spicy food.”
Sam says there is nightlife here in the city centre, especially on Wharf Street.
“I reckon the food and coffee in here is as good as anywhere else.
“This has got an awesome variety of places and it’s all in one street.”
Sam says there’s great authentic Chinese food, craft beers, coffee and more.
Tauranga Central is not lost under the rubble of construction and the stillness of Covid times.
“I think Covid pushed people out of inner cities.
“People are more inclined to work from home.
“We want to bring them back.”
After the construction is complete, the CBD will be busier than it was before Covid, says Sam.
“We’ve still got a few more years to go.
“Once that Craigs’ building is done and we’ve got the council chamber up on Devonport Road then we’ve got a stream of people working in the city and wanting to come down here."
Malls often take away customers from the city streets, but in a beautiful place like Tauranga, why not spend some time in the sun?
“I think Bayfair and the Crossing have drawn people away.
“I love going around to restaurants, cafes and bars and being outside, like these outdoor mall lanes like you’ve got here in a pedestrianised area.
“I think we are experiencing a few growing pains at the moment with housing supply and transport.I think really good days are ahead for Tauranga.
“We are working through a city deal at the moment.
“We are going to get some really good investment from the central government which will help to address transport and help provide infrastructure investment and housing development.
“We’ve gone from a sleepy beachside town with a big port and a retirement village to the fifth biggest city in New Zealand.
“We’re growing rapidly. We just need to sustain all these folks in the meantime," says Sam.
Sam says he thinks the city has got a lot better over the past couple of years.
“I want people to come back here and appreciate it.”
17 comments
Parking and shops
Posted on 28-02-2024 07:14 | By AuntyMinnie
We some decent shops! Free Parking too.
the fifth biggest city in New Zealand.
Posted on 28-02-2024 07:20 | By Yadick
With no parking.
Useful idiot or hopeful spin doctor
Posted on 28-02-2024 07:36 | By Tga Citizen
Does this mean sam endorses the actions of the unelected overseers?
Sam
Posted on 28-02-2024 08:21 | By Yadick
You NEED to be here more regularly updating us all with your happenings and findings and support. This is one of the first times I've heard ANYTHING from you apart from when you were wanting our vote.
Bring it on mate. OUR CITY NEEDS YOU.
Tell us why we still have Labors Commissioners screwing us over when National is our Government?
Wishy washy
Posted on 28-02-2024 09:22 | By nerak
advertorial! This has to be a new low in the attempts to get people back downtown. Suddenly Sam is on the front foot, telling us how amazing things are, and are going to be. Everyone I have spoken to over the last few years can't be bothered with downtown any more, much better, and with a far better atmosphere, to be found elsewhere. Oh well, at least we know Sam is still around.
Parking
Posted on 28-02-2024 09:40 | By Raewyn
We need downtown parking at least some of the foreshore parking lot should be reopened
SAM WHO?
Posted on 28-02-2024 09:49 | By 2up
As usual the National rep for Tauranga is a lame duck.
Nice but
Posted on 28-02-2024 10:13 | By an_alias
You have been way to quiet and this looks like a fab 4 promo article like usual.
They have killed the CBD not covid man, that was uni-party that had no brain combined.
How about address the parking issue and the over taxed local economy which is only getting worse.
You have been way to quiet on this whole front, I guess the media has done there job on that front.
Spin talker
Posted on 28-02-2024 10:25 | By paul
Downtown is dead. No parking and no decent shops. Also unsafe at night. Get rid of commissioners now before they completely destroy Tauranga. Also Tauranga hasn't been a sleepy little town for over 30 years. Sam should be focusing on roads and infrastructure.
Side show
Posted on 28-02-2024 11:43 | By gincat
Here's a meaty issue you can tackle,
HIGHWAY 29,
Grow some Kahuna's
Posted on 28-02-2024 14:08 | By Fernhill22
Sam, you need to grow some Kahuna's and actually start dealing with the real issues that are affecting people in TGA rather than just paying lip service to them. People want to see action- on the commissioners, LTP, Infrastructure improvements & getting rid of this wokeism of bicycle lanes. If you don't have the kahuna's for it, then get your colleagues from Wellington up here & start working on a plan. No one is going to go back to the CBD until the roading is sorted out, and parking is freely available, as well as navigating all the closed roads in the CBD as well. It's time for action, so roll up your sleeves, start listening to your community and getting some improvements underway.
Hmmm
Posted on 28-02-2024 15:54 | By Let's get real
I think that I made a mistake in voting for this fella.
He's had plenty of opportunity to express an opinion on the extensive debt that his kids will be inheriting through the extravagance of a government appointed disaster squad. We can't trust him to explore the necessity of building a level 6 eco-building for council offices, when the Kiwifruit industry is happy to build their INTERNATIONAL headquarters using modest construction and without a water view.
The National party needs to put up a better, more voter conscious candidate for the next election. This one is broken.
So,
Posted on 28-02-2024 17:29 | By nerak
I'm not the only one scratching my head wondering why Sam wanted to be in parliament! Gravy train? I've yet to see him actually stand up and DO something, apart from speaking in an echo chamber about things he should really be taking action on.
No Shops, Just Food
Posted on 29-02-2024 06:53 | By Thats Nice
Someone needs to go to Specsavers if you think Tauranga cbd is the place to go.
Debt
Posted on 29-02-2024 07:48 | By Kancho
The debt shines through any thoughts of returning to the city. Also the difficulties of travelling and parking created on Cameron road . I note this morning the proposal of Auckland's north harbour stadium to be demolished as a loss making mistake. So the commissioners stadium plan just adds to the most indebted council with the highest rates in the country. So the new councillor have a huge job of cutting back costs and redundancies
His first line about says it all !
Posted on 29-02-2024 09:51 | By The Caveman
" Wharf Street is perfectly designed for meeting with family and friends for food or coffee, says the Tauranga MP. "
AND where are the family and friends going to park ? So they can actually meet !!
hmmmm
Posted on 29-02-2024 13:29 | By Howbradseesit
Hey Sam. Cool that you think Wharf street is the place to be. Take a stroll off that street and enjoy all the dead shops, but please be mindful to dodge the drunk and homeless and their blankets/belongings littered around. Its not so attractive is it.
Also, maybe you can influence the council to clean up all the tents, and vans, and busses that are popping up around the wider areas like along the bike paths along Takitimu drive and Memoral park. This city is getting so gross. These homeless are more than likely going toilet in the areas which is a health hazard.
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