By-election 2021
By-elections cancelled
The 2021 by-elections for the positions of mayor, at-large councillor and Otumoetai-Pyes Pa councillor have been cancelled.
This follows the appointment of four commissioners to replace our mayor and councillors on 9 February 2021.
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the commissioners will undertake Tauranga City Council’s governance responsibilities until the next local government elections in October 2022.
More information is available on the Governance section of our website.
By-election: January update
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has announced she will appoint a commission to replace Tauranga City Council’s mayor and councillors. This is expected to occur in February 2021.
Until the commission is formally appointed, we are obliged to continue with a by-election process to replace Mayor Tenby Powell, Otumoetai-Pyes Pa ward councillor Jako Abrie and at-large councillor Heidi Hughes.
We are legally required to notify the public about certain aspects of the by-election. To minimise costs, we will keep these notifications to the minimum required by legislation.
Once the commission is in place, the by-election will be cancelled.
December update: By-election postponed
Further notice of by-election (46kb pdf)
Media release - Tauranga by-election notice countermanded
Commission to be appointed to Tauranga City Council
Following the announcement by Hon Nanaia Mahuta, a commission will be appointed to perform and exercise the council’s governance responsibilities, duties and powers. The commission is expected to be appointed in early 2021. Until the commission is appointed, we need to continue with the by-election process.
Media release - Commission to be appointed to Tauranga City Council
We are holding a by-election in March/April 2021 to find:
- a new mayor
- a new councillor to represent the Otumoetai/Pyes Pa ward
- a new citywide councillor (at large)
Key facts
In October 2019, the people of Tauranga elected a mayor and 10 councillors to represent them at Tauranga City Council for the next three years.
In October 2020, Councillor Jako Abrie resigned from Council. Jako was one of two councillors elected to represent the Otumoetai/Pyes Pa ward.
In November 2020, Mayor Tenby Powell resigned.
In December 2020, Councillor Heidi Hughes resigned. Heidi was one of four councillors elected to represent the city at large.
This by-election is being held to find a new mayor and two new councillors.
Last Reviewed: 15/02/2021