Tania Tapsell reflects on the year gone. Photo: LDR / Andrew Warner
Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell talks about the highs and lows of her job - and the little girl who makes her smile even on the hardest of days.
Tania Tapsell says being elected Rotorua mayor a year ago is "the greatest honour of my life".
Since then, she says the council has made some major moves - a controversial annual plan, tackling crime, improving transparency, giving the museum restoration the green light and - for her - having a baby.
Tapsell became the second mayor to give birth while in office in Aotearoa. Her daughter arrived in June.
It has been a big year, Tapsell said, reflecting on what she believes the council has achieved.
"Rotorua was in such a completely different state. And it wasn't good."
One of the top issues heading into the last local body elections was emergency housing in motels, Tapsell said.
"Within two months we signed the Rotorua Housing Accord, which was our exit plan from the negative impacts of motels."
The number of households living in motels has halved.
"It has increased the confidence and pride in the town."
She was still concerned about backpackers and hostels and has discussed this with Minister of Housing Megan Woods.
Outside of mayoral duties, Tapsell said she "delivered something extra special".
Tania Tapsell with daughter Kahumoa Caroline Clancy. Photo: Supplied
Baby Kahumoa Caroline Clancy was born at the beginning of June.
There was warmth in her voice as she described her "incredible" daughter.
"She's at that stage now where she's just started laughing.
"It just melts your heart. It puts a smile on your face even in the hardest of days."
Motherhood and mayoralty was an interesting balance, she said.
But she feels fortunate her husband Kanin Clancy was supportive while she was busy being mayor.
"It's what many mothers have done for generations. We just find a way to do it all," she said and laughed.
When it comes to her mayoral role, Tapsell said she was proud of the council's efforts to turn around the city's financial position. The council had a forecast $5.6 million operating deficit when elected, but had an overall surplus of $2.4m as of 31 August.
Tapsell said it was not easy and the community could see "we were considering everything" during the draft Annual Plan process, she said.
She said an increase in the council's net debt from $296.3m last October to $339.9m in August was due to inherited projects and the current council has not "taken on any significant projects".
Transparency was another hot election topic. In 2022, Chief ombudsmen Peter Boshier announced an investigation into the use of closed-door workshops by eight councils, including Rotorua.
To improve transparency, meeting agendas were uploaded a week ahead of time instead of two days, more meetings were open to the public and information was published on its website, Tapsell said.
The push for transparency in part came out of last year's controversial plans to revoke reserves for housing.
"This was a perfect example of where decisions and discussions of [the] council were held in public excluded, so it came as a surprise to the community."
The nine-year councillor turned mayor said she loves working with this council.
Karen Barker - the first rural ward councillor - has the attributes of an ideal councillor with a strong work ethic and connection with the community, Tapsell said.
The councillors were hard-working and her "most valuable player" was Sandra Kai Fong, her deputy, she said.
Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell, left, and deputy mayor Sandra Kai Fong, at their campaign launch last year. Photo: LDR / Andrew Warner
As for the next two council years, Tapsell said there was a need for investment in infrastructure, increasing jobs and unlocking industrial and commercial land.
She also hoped to support the inner city to "bring the life back" for businesses.
Community safety has also been hugely challenging, she said.
"This council is investing money and resources into making Rotorua safer."
Tapsell said while she has a strong 10-year vision for the district, nothing was guaranteed, and she was focused on the next two years.
What do residents say?
Three residents spoke about whether there had been improvements in the past year.
Kawaha Point resident Beryl Jellyman, 69, said she has not seen any - yet.
"I think there is a lot more that can be done to make it more appealing."
She suggested a European model of prioritising pedestrians in the city.
Springfield resident Tim Ngamahanga, in his 50s, feels the city was still recovering from the pandemic, but the economy will bounce back.
The council needs to work on attracting tourists to experience the city's culture.
Also from Springfield, 64-year-old Roger Allsopp said the council was "on the right track". He said they "put their money where their mouth is" by cutting spend, and only raising rates to be in line with inflation.
What do the councillors say?
Fisher Wang said the council's working relationship with community boards has dwindled this term.
"It's disheartening decisions such as closing the library on Sundays progressed, so was the uncertainty faced by our community organisations and arts and culture sectors during the Annual Plan."
Robert Lee said his highlight was preserving democracy in Rotorua by the withdrawal of the previous council's Representation Arrangements Bill.
"Saving the reserves was also significant. Another more subtle 'achievement' is this group of elected members seem to have figured out how to work constructively together."
Conan O'Brien said the council has taken important steps to restore the faith and trust of the public with better teamwork and improved transparency.
"Significant challenges lie ahead, with urgent infrastructure priorities, social behaviour issues and [the council's] significant debt situation.
"These challenges must be met with calm, and strength accompanied with compassion and empathy, fiscal responsibility, improved productivity, and delivery of efficient services."
Don Paterson said the council protected democracy by having the Bill withdrawn and saved "most of our greenspaces" that were up for reserve revocation.
"Although, the future of the Springfield Golf Course remains uncertain."
Lani Kereopa said adaptation planning and resilience building must be the priority.
"Rotorua has been experiencing increasing impacts of extreme weather events since 2018 and council representatives and staff have a responsibility to our current and future generations to protect our homes, water and food sources first and foremost."
Deputy mayor Sandra Kai Fong said their strong leadership team has overseen significant change in the council's direction.
"Moving ahead, our focus remains on boosting Rotorua's economy, job creation, revitalising the CBD, restoring Rotorua's reputation, and ensuring our city is a prosperous environment to live, work, and invest in."
Councillors Rawiri Waru, Karen Barker, Trevor Maxwell and Gregg Brown did not respond.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
