Embattled Tauranga City councillors will be able to keep calling themselves that by name, but they have been prevented from performing any official duties or receiving any salary, the Department of Internal Affairs says.

It has been a confusing time for Tauranga City councillors after they ran afoul of Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta who opted to install a commission after wide-spread dysfunction and childish antics marred the council's reputation.

Despite the commission being in place, councillors have been able to retain their elected member status in the off-chance the commission is no longer deemed necessary. If that were to occur, councillors would be able to return to their roles.

Briefing papers, released under the Official Information Act, show Mahuta wants the commissioners to fulfil three objectives including providing an example of what good governance looks like, have strong community engagement and has a clear exit strategy to allow the democratic process to resume.

The documents also show how councillors' pleas to stave off the installation of a commission fell flat.

The behaviour of the councillors, coupled with an apparent unwillingness to change, and a lack of faith elected members could agree to a 'robust and credible” long term plan were part of her rationale.

Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta. Photo: File Image.

The ministerial intervention comes after councillor Jako Abrie and Mayor Tenby Powell resigned in late 2020 with both calling for Commissions to be appointed as they exited.

It has been a confusing time for remaining councillors trying to figure out where they fit in, if at all, when the commission is installed.

Some spent the past few weeks looking at job vacancies while another, who officially resigned, simply 'went to the beach and forgot about it all”.

Acting mayor Tina Salisbury says she was upset that she could no longer do the job she loves, but said she'd continue to serve the community until her time officially ticked over.

'I'll try and make a difference where I can,” she says.

The turbulent year in politics has not dissuaded her from considering a future career in public office.

She says she stayed out of the fights and felt it was unfair everyone was tarred with the same brush.

'I want to return to politics.”

Kelvin Clout says he was 'looking around for options” and was not in a rush to going back to being an employee has been self-employed for 17 years.

Larry Baldock says there are provisions for Commissioners to allow elected members to play a role in committees, and he would like to be involved should the opportunity arrive.

'I'd like to be involved going forwards and there is some provision under legislation for elected members to play a role but it's all a bit of wait and see,” he says.

He does not think any legal challenge to Mahuta's decision, should one arise, have any chance of success.

”It would be like Trump trying to overturn the election results,” he says.

”Doesn't have a dog show.”

Councillor Heidi Hughes, who resigned last year to prevent a by-election needing to be held says she has moved on with life.

'I went to the beach and forgot about it all,” she says.

Tauranga faces a challenging time ahead with large rate rises of more than 18 per cent reported to be needed year-on-year to cover an infrastructure shortfall

Chief executive Marty Grenfell says staff are preparing documentation and briefing papers for the Commissioners to enable them to hit the ground running.

-Matt Shand/Stuff