Stuart’s last speech as mayor

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby bowed out of the seat he has held for 12 years on Thursday.

In his valedictory speech, Stuart says he's enjoyed working with all the councillors over the years.


The mayoral chain on a very rare public outing. Photo: Andrew Campbell.

'Despite the occasional variance of views and some of their questionable behaviour at times, and I have no doubt they thought the same about me,” says Stuart.

He acknowledged the privilege of being an elected member and the trust and responsibility that goes with it.

'While I always believe the buck stops with the mayor, I acknowledge the support from many others, either elected members, staff and others outside of the organisation - particularly my family who have been on this journey with me.

'The staff I have had the pleasure working with over a long period of time have been tremendous. Working in the public sector can be challenging and I have witnessed staff having to tolerate strong criticism, when they are simply carrying out the policy of elected members,” says Stuart. Read his full speech below.

'In all my time as an elected member, I have never directed a staff member how to carry out an action, although there have been the rare occasions where strong suggestions have been made on how to progress an issue.

'I wish all the staff the very best. I want to particularly acknowledge the support Tanga Whenua have given me over the years. I have had the privilege of learning so much about our history, the people and our places that ultimately has defined Tauranga today. I hope that the partnership between the Council, community and Tangata Whenua continues to strengthen.

'When I arrived to this council in 1989, we had to merge the systems, policies and rating bases of three former authorities, the former Tauranga City Council, the former Borough of Mt Maunganui and two areas of the former Tauranga County Council which were Bethlehem and Papamoa.

'At the very first Policy Committee in November 1989 we resolved ‘to put our resources in the areas of greatest need', a good decision that has served our community well. The alternative was ward accounting. Despite the challenges of the merger, running the council from an elected member's point of view was relatively straight forward.

'Soon after 1989, we had to deal with the issue of contestability in our service delivery, which basically meant the end of our works department, our design office and warrant of fitness stations.

'In 1996 there were more significant reforms on how we operated, particularly around Council finances, rates and 10 year plans.

'Also from 1986 to 1992 the government was working on electricity reforms which ended up in the Energies Companies Act 1992 which started the journey of the restructuring of local ownership of local communities' electricity undertakings.

'Why did that matter to us? Our community owned 50 per cent of the Tauranga Joint Generation Hydro Scheme, our own city power company and our early ratepayers bankrolled what we now know as Trustpower which was effectively taken off them under those reforms.

'Moving on to the 2002 local government reforms where some functions were removed from public influence and more planning and public consultation and accountability was required. And as we speak the busy bees in the beehive are wanting more reforms.

'Now I have never been against reforms providing they benefit our communities. Sadly a lot of reforms handed down simply do not do that. They make the business of council far more complex and costly than it has to be.

'One of the strengths of this council is how we partner with many organisations from the government of the day to many sector groups.

'Smart growth is a good example of that. The growth management strategy of Smart Growth has no legal standing whatsoever, but it is built on a four way partnership and as a strategy would be the most influential for our sub region.

'So, in my view with the right leadership and attitude, as a sector we can do great things for our community without being told how to do it or even removing our ability to make positive change by ill-conceived legislation.

'When making a decision of any scale, I always ask myself, ‘Will this make Tauranga a better place for today and for tomorrow?'. It is too easy to seek to please individuals or groups at the expense of the wider communities.

'The decisions in Local Government are in the main are long standing decisions, so it is imperative that the decisions we make today stand the test of time and that requires the skill of looking over the horizon.

'I am very much of the opinion that within the existing legislation we work under, as a sector, we can continue improve our performance on behalf of those we represent without selling out to a business model that has an imperative of getting a return on an asset rather that delivering a service in a sustainable and cost effective manner for our communities.

'While I have always respected the history and functions of the position of mayor, I have always struggled with the so called ‘status' of the position of mayor.

'Put simply, I don't do status. Hence you haven't seen me in the mayoral robes and I very rarely wear the mayoral chains except to pay respect to others. So from my perspective from 1989 to 2016 our city is maturing with some way to go.

'We have made progress with the basics of water (micro filtration and meters), waste water (Te Maunga - Southern Pipe line), transport, public facilities, there is still more to do.

'We have had our high profile challenges like the floods of 2005, the GFC, the Rena Grounding, the passing of our CEO Ken Paterson. But every day there is a mix of challenges and opportunities, that's why this job is never boring.

'I also want to acknowledge the media. It's an interesting relationship where we both need each other to carry out our business, but at times may not approve on how we go about it.

'That said, I personally have had a great relationship with both our local and national media and occasionally internationally.

'Speaking Internationally, it has been my privilege to represent Tauranga, the BOP and New Zealand either overseas or when the world comes to visit Tauranga.

'To future councils, I hope they show leadership with humility in serving the community of today and those of the future.

'And remember the trust that has been given to you when people put that tick by your name.

'Thank you.”

While retiring as mayor of Tauranga, Stuart Crosby is standing for election on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

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5 comments

Classic case...

Posted on 30-09-2016 16:37 | By morepork

... of a good, decent man, with the very best of intentions and aspirations, frustrated by the system he has to work within. Although he would never say it, I know there are many occasions when Stuart would have liked a different result than what eventually transpired.I know also that there are many acts of kindness he has shown as Mayor that were never done to obtain Brownie Points, were never reported in the media, but were done because it was a right and good thing to do. By it's very nature, the office of Mayor will be subject to constant attack and criticism. As Ratepayers, we need to make sure that criticism is fair and reasonable, and that our elected representatives get our support when they deserve it. Well done, Stuart, I, for one, am sorry to see you go and best wishes for your future.


@ morepork

Posted on 30-09-2016 17:37 | By Crash test dummies

That about sums it up, the process of democracy at work


Blah Blah Blah

Posted on 30-09-2016 20:21 | By stokey

It is all much of the same. The emperor is dead, long live the emperor? Perhaps these elected representatives should do what they say they are going to do when seeking our votes. Most don't and put it down to lack of fellow council support. If you can't deliver - don't say you can. Talk is cheap, especially valedictories!


Really???

Posted on 01-10-2016 07:40 | By nerak

And remember the trust that has been given to you when people put that tick by your name... So, what went wrong over the last 12 years? I remember...


here we go again

Posted on 12-10-2016 16:36 | By old trucker

All will be revealed as to what he has signed off, JUST watch,could never speak on the phone to him in 10years, always went to his servant to answer,that did not know what i was talking about,so hope next one will shake the cage and TIP OUT the DEADWOOD,do not need 520 staff,what do they do all day apart from 1 hour smokos in RED SQUARE, (not much) all meetings,No1 Thankyou.


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