The final chapter in the mayoral careers of Tauranga City's Stuart Crosby and Western Bay of Plenty District's Ross Paterson is drawing to a close.

For the very last time Stuart and Ross co-chaired the Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District councils' Joint Governance Committee meeting which took place on Thursday afternoon.

Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor Ross Paterson and Tauranga City mayor Stuart Crosby co-chaired their last ever Joint Governance committee meeting on Thursday. Photo: Matt Cowley

The moment was captured by Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley, who says both mayors took the opportunity to reflect on the journey they've been on together over the years.

'They discussed the relationship between the two councils and the need to work together.

'They also spoke about the establishment of the SmartGrowth Strategy and the Joint Governance covenant and how they've helped get things moving which was really good to hear.”

Between the two mayors they have a combined 51 years of service to their respective councils.

Stuart was elected onto the Tauranga City Council back in 1986, and later elected mayor in 2004, while Ross was elected onto the Western Bay Council in 1995 and elected mayor in 2008.

'Anyone who has a life longer than nine years in politics does a pretty good job at reading the community because it's quite a fickle and challenging and dynamic job to be in,” says Matt.

'I'm sure they've grown a few grey hairs and put on a couple of kilograms because of the stress of the role, but I'm sure they'll look fondly back on their careers.”