The Tauranga by-elections triggered by councillor resignations last year, are now officially cancelled.

The by-elections were scheduled to happen this month for the positions of Tauranga City Council Mayor, At Large Councillor and Otumoetai-Pyes Pa Councillor.

Former mayor Tenby Powell, Jako Abrie and Heidi Hughes resigned from their positions on the council last year, triggering a by-election.

Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp is announcing the cancellation today following the appointment of four Commissioners to replace the Council's elected members.

Lampp says the publication of an official gazette notice confirming the appointment of the Commission effectively cancels the planned by-election process for the three vacancies.

'All candidates nominated for those positions have been notified the by-elections will not proceed and advised that their candidate deposits will be refunded in due course.”

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced last week that a Commission consisting of Anne Tolley (Chair), Bill Wasley, Stephen Selwood and Shadrach Rolleston would undertake the Council's governance responsibilities through until the next local government elections in October 2022.

The Commissioners took up their roles on February 9.

A programme of activities for the next month is under development and a meeting schedule is likely to be confirmed next week.