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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. 

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. 
 

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2025

2024

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Latest news

Help steer the future of Mercury Baypark Stadium

Help steer the future of Mercury Baypark Stadium

The community is invited to have its say on the future of Mercury Baypark Stadium and whether it supports the continuation of speedway activity on the site, with public consultation now underway.

Under current agreements, Speedway is set to operate at Mercury Baypark until 2029. Tauranga City Council is now considering a proposal that would extend Speedway operations until 2039 — and is seeking feedback on whether the community supports this direction.

The proposal would see Speedway Racing Ltd purchase the North Stand (15,600 seats) for $1 and be responsible for its maintenance, while leasing the land from Council through Bay Venues Ltd. Council would retain ownership of the land, and the North Stand would be returned to Council at the end of the lease in 2039 for $1.

Tauranga City Councillor Kevin Schuler says before any decisions about the proposal are made, the Council wants to understand how the community’s views Mercury Baypark Stadium and speedway operations.

“This consultation is about testing the community’s support for the proposal and weighing up what Mercury Baypark Stadium’s future should look like for the next decade,” says Kevin.

“The proposal provides a way for Speedway to continue operating without placing immediate costs on ratepayers. However, if there’s not strong community support for this approach, we’ll explore alternative options for the site beyond 2029.”

Kevin says Mercury Baypark has hosted Speedway events for more than two decades, but the North Stand is in poor condition and requires investment to remain operational. It is used almost exclusively for Speedway events, around 15 times a year.

“If Speedway continues until 2039, it would be under new arrangements that shift the immediate cost and responsibility for maintaining the stand to Speedway Racing Ltd.

“If not, there are potential opportunities to reimagine the site for future recreational or commercial uses that could serve the wider community from 2029.”

Consultation is open from 5pm Monday, 26 May 2025 and closes 5pm Monday 23 June 2025.

Community consultation drop-in sessions will be held at Mercury Baypark Arena Suites, where residents can meet with Councillors and learn more about the options: 

  • Monday, 9 June, 5:30pm–7:30pm 
  • Saturday, 14 June, 10:00 am –12:00 pm 

To learn more and share your views, visit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/baypark 

Posted: May 27, 2025,

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