Tōputanga a kaunihera

Council-controlled organisations

A Council-controlled organisation (CCO) is an organisation in which the council controls 50% or more of the votes or has the right to appoint 50% or more of the directors or trustees.

Council and its CCOs work in partnership to successfully deliver quality outcomes for our community and contribute to Tauranga Moana becoming a vibrant city that attracts businesses, people and visitors, is well planned, connected and inclusive.

Our CCOs deliver a range of great offerings for Tauranga’s residents and visitors, including leisure, aquatic, arts, events and cultural activities.

The benefits of CCOs include:

Independently managing Council initiatives and facilities.
Providing business and community expertise that Council may not have in-house.
Being able to focus on achieving the best outcome for their particular organisation, rather than focusing on the many activities of a council.
Attracting some of their funding from sources other than rates.

Bay Venues Limited

Tourism Bay of Plenty

Tauranga Art Gallery Trust

Te Manawataki o Te Papa
Limited

Te Manawataki o Te Papa Charitable Trust

Bay Of Plenty Local Authority Shared Services Limited

Local Government Funding Agency

CCO Aspiring Directors - Board Intern Programme

Applications open for the Aspiring Directors Programme

Applications for the fourth intake of Tauranga City Council’s Aspiring Directors Programme for its Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) is now open.

The programme aims to expand the number of people with governance experience while enhancing the diversity and depth of the governance talent pool available to organisations in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty region.

This is a valuable opportunity for aspiring directors to gain hands-on governance experience by interning with one of the following CCOs:

Bay Venues Limited – Guardian of over 20 community facilities in Tauranga Moana, including Mercury Baypark and the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance.
Tourism Bay of Plenty – Jointly owned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, this organisation leads the sustainable growth of the visitor economy across the coastal Bay of Plenty.

For further information about the Aspiring Directors Programme, please download the full job ad.

Aspiring Directors Programme job advert (184kb pdf)

Non-disclosure and conflict of interest declaration form (55kb pdf) Please sign and email to Council - instructions in the job ad.

Applications close at 10am on 24 October 2025.

Interviews will be held in Tauranga on 11 and 13 November 2025.

Council cover reports

2025

2024

Resources

Latest news

Christmas arrives in city centre with a sleigh full of festive activities

The festive spirit is alive in Tauranga city centre this year with a large 8-metre reusable Christmas tree lighting up the revitalised Masonic Park every night from 28 November to 5 January.

The Christmas tree will spark a month of free festivities taking place in the city centre this year. Organised by Tauranga City Council and Downtown Tauranga, there will be something for everyone to enjoy with Santa’s Grotto, a Razzle Dazzle Reindeer Trail, a Christmas concert, an outdoor festive movie and so much more.

Tauranga Councillor Rod Taylor said with the waterfront transformation almost complete, it’s going to be an extra special Christmas in the city centre.

“This year we have seen the waterfront be transformed into a beautiful place where people can relax, play, and connect with Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour. With the much-anticipated Waterfront Playground opening in mid-December it will be a city centre Christmas like never before.

“It's been a tough few years for everyone, especially our city centre businesses, and this Christmas is a time for celebrating how far we have come and helping spread the festive spirit for everyone to enjoy.”

Bringing extra magic to the city centre, Santa and his trusty elf will be making their grand entrance in true Tauranga style aboard the Kewpie Cruise boat. Head along to Tauranga Waterfront at 10am on Sunday, 1 December and wave Santa ashore before he checks out the Little Big Markets and settles into his ‘Southern Hemisphere Grotto’ at 41 Devonport Road.

If Christmas tunes are more your thing, gather the family and relax in the sun as Tauranga Big Band perform a free Christmas themed concert in Masonic Park on Saturday, 14 December.

Downtown Tauranga Manager, Genevieve Whitson said with all the positive changes we are seeing in the city we wanted to encourage more people to come in and enjoy it as well as bring the Christmas spirit to life.

“Packed with free fun for everyone, the city is the ultimate hotspot this December. Come and join the festivities, browse the shops for Christmas goodies and treat yourself to a bite to eat at one of our amazing eateries.”

For further details about all events happening in the city centre head to: whatsontauranga.co.nz/citycentre