Tauranga City Council is mourning the loss of Councillor Gail McIntosh, who passed away on 4 January 2018.
Gail was elected as a new Councillor in October 2013, with the highest number of votes for the At Large ward. She was one of seven new councillors elected that year.
Gail was no stranger to the mechanics of democracy, having served as a National MP and on the Bay of Plenty District Health Board before joining TCC. Her past government experience, coupled with her financial skills as a chartered accountant, meant she was able to hit the ground running as a new councillor.
Gail’s work touched many aspects of running the city, including financial and risk management, Heart of the City, and CCO governance. She was hugely supportive of the marine precinct, high-performance sports centre, and the Heart of the City programme. Gail wanted to see Tauranga mature and develop as a city while ensuring the council was being financially responsible.
Gail was never one to leave you in the dark about what she was thinking. Her straight-talking approach made it obvious to anyone working with her that she cared deeply about pursuing the best outcomes for the city. She spent many days out in the community engaging on a number of issues and plans, particularly on the Heart of the City programme. Gail was a good listener, a keen debater, and was always fully engaged in the conversations she had with citizens. She was absolutely committed to her role, even phoning in to meetings she couldn’t attend late last year.
Gail was passionate about the advancement of women and very supportive of women in leadership positions. In 2016, Tauranga City Council was a finalist in the Gender Diverse Organisation of the Year. The award referenced, among other things, the Civic Heart project. Gail was at the helm of this project, as the Chairperson.
Tauranga has lost a caring, talented, and committed councillor who served her community with vigour. We are all the poorer for her passing, and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
Rest in peace, Gail.
Tauranga City Council
Cr Gail McIntosh - Committee responsibilities:
2013 – 2016
- Deputy chair of the Finance and Risk Committee
- Deputy chair of the Community Development Committee
- Chair of the Civic Heart Project Steering Group
2016 - 2018
- Chair of the Audit, Finance, Risk and Monitoring Committee
- Deputy chair of the City Transformation Committee