Search

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. 

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

Council supports progress towards a water services CCO, will deliver water services in-house for now

Tauranga City Council confirms its intention to transition to a water services council-controlled organisation by 2028, or sooner, but asks for more information on the governance and financial aspects of that entity.

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says Tauranga City Council has invested well in its water services, so is in a good position to continue to deliver quality services through an in-house model until an intention is confirmed to form a CCO.

Last month, the Council postponed its decision on a preferred delivery model for future water services to allow time for further discussions with iwi and the wider community. Conversations with other Councils and staff across the wider region were also undertaken to understand how a larger regional organisation might operate in the future.

On Tuesday 5 August, Western Bay of Plenty District Council resolved to form a multi-council Waters CCO with Tauranga City Council but decided not to include Thames Coromandel District Council. Thames Coromandel District Council had previously voted to pursue forming a joint water services organisation with Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council but will now keep its water services in-house.

Mahé says Tauranga City Council has a solid existing partnership with Western Bay of Plenty District Council, so they remain a key potential partner for any future multi-council CCO.

“We already share water infrastructure with Western Bay of Plenty District Council and work closely with them on water delivery, so we will continue to engage with them as we work towards a future water services CCO entity.”

Council also resolved to invite Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Kawerau District Council, Whakatāne District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council and Taupō District Council to participate in data and information sharing to explore the future of Bay of Plenty waters.

Government legislation on water services is still in draft form, so Council’s decision will also allow time to get clarity on the opportunities and risks of all options.

Any future water services CCO would be for water and wastewater services, with the possibility of including stormwater services to be decided at a later date.

A future report to Council will include the Water Services Delivery Plan, ahead of submitting the plan to the DIA. This Council meeting date is still to be confirmed.

Resolutions passed at Tuesday’s Tauranga City Council meeting

That the Council:

a. Receives the report "Local Water Done Well - Preferred Water Services Delivery Model".

Tangata Whenua Position Paper on Local Waters Done Well

b. Acknowledges receipt of the Tangata Whenua Position Paper on Local Waters Done Well, and thanks Tangata Whenua for their consideration of the matter and providing a clear collective view within a constrained timeframe.

c. In recognition of the partnership with Tangata Whenua, undertakes to consider each of the matters in the Tangata Whenua Position Paper and form a view on what is practical, achievable and acceptable to Tauranga City Council (both in terms of process and outcomes). 

d. Notes that some matters raised by Tangata Whenua are whole-of-Council strategic relationship matters which need to be addressed regardless of the water service delivery model chosen, and other matters are more appropriately considered through the Due Diligence and other processes associated with a Water Organisation where Tauranga City Council will also need to take into account the views of any partner Council/s. 

e. Undertakes to provide a response to Tangata Whenua in respect of the matters raised.

Moved by Cr Rolleston      Seconded by Cr Crowther         

CARRIED

f. Based on the information and data currently available, and to ensure full engagement is undertaken with Councils across the region, and with iwi, that Council approves the water services delivery model be delivered via an in-house business unit, with the intention of transitioning into a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) for water and wastewater services, at the latest by 1 July 2028, with an option for Council to also include stormwater services.

g. In the meantime, notes a Water Service Delivery Plan (WSDP) will be prepared for the duration to deliver through an in-house model.

h. To welcome Western BOP District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Kawerau District Council, Whakatane District Council, Opotiki District Council and Taupo District Council for open and inclusive discussions and participate in data and information sharing to explore the future of Bay of Plenty waters.

Moved by Deputy Mayor            Seconded by Cr Rolleston      
  
For: Cr Scoular, Cr Morris, Cr Crowther, Cr Curach, Cr Baker, Cr Rolleston
Against: Mayor Drysdale, Cr Schuler, Cr Taylor, Cr Rozeboom

CARRIED

Notes to editor: 

Local Water Done Well is the New Zealand government's plan to reform how water services are managed and to tackle the country’s significant water infrastructure challenges.  

During public consultation in April a total of 726 people provided submissions addressing ‘Why wai matters: Local Water Done Well’ via Council’s online submissions form. 

Community views on the proposed model (a multi-council CCO) were nearly evenly split. Some supported its regional efficiencies, while others raised concerns about costs and reduced local control. This was considered over several months alongside financial modelling and other factors.

To find out more, visit: letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/localwaterdonewell  
 

Posted: Aug 7, 2025,

Tauranga City Council, Private Bag 12022, Tauranga, 3143, New Zealand |Terms of use|Privacy statement|Site map

Back To Top