Come on Tauranga - you're a city - now it's time for you to grow up!

Think about building some impressive public buildings. Think about a museum, even a cathedral, and creating a central square, octagon or plaza; a central public space for the new city.

Tauranga City Council - where are the plans for Tauranga's central development? Are there any?

We are growing in residential numbers but the CBD is dormant.

What are you doing to attract more business investments in the city? Have you planned a campaign advertising the benefits of Tauranga; there are multiple benefits to the outside world?

Tauranga business people, are you going to continue to let Mount Maunganui and Rotorua rake in the tourist dollars? Think tourism Tauranga.

This city is growing so it's about time we took on a new image and mind-set. We are no longer a town! Can we move on and get away from the ‘Retirement capital of NZ' label?

Let's work together with a vision; making this an exciting go-ahead city. Let's stand up and boldly move away from relying on older sisters Hamilton and Auckland, in all sorts of ways, and start building this city up.

I'm a happy new resident, but I also recognise the wonderful potential here.

New residents please reply, I'd love to hear your views.

Come on Tauranga!

S Gardner, Welcome Bay.