Tauranga City Council has some tough challenges ahead, but a determined deputy mayor is well-qualified to rise to the occasion.
Elected by the Mauao/Mount Maunganui ward based on her commercial experience and attributes, Jen Scoular, deputy mayor of Tauranga, joins an elected team of councillors governing Tauranga City Council (TCC).
Five months into the job, Jen says she is very aware of the significant work needed to deliver for the people of Tauranga, across a very wide range of expectations.
Mayor Mahe Drysdale leads a committed team of councillors in governing Tauranga City Council for a four year term, missing the local body elections that will occur across the country in October this year.
“I see this as a real benefit, with so much work to do to take the city forward after many years of underinvestment,” Jen says.
Prior to her appointment as deputy mayor, Jen had an extensive commercial career in banking, diplomacy and horticulture. She was CEO of NZ Avocado for 12 years, treasurer at Zespri International and, in between, served four years as NZ Consul General and Trade Commissioner in Hamburg, Germany.
Jen is also a Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, board chair of House of Science and Patron of the Mount Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club. Outside her business life, she loves the outdoors, has started cycling to work and enjoys the wonderful cafes around town.
Jen is bringing all of her skills, experience and networks to the table in her new role. Tauranga City Council has $7.9 billion of assets, is approving annual capital spending in the order of $500m, has a staff of approximately 1200 and is working to support the needs of a growing city, she confirms.
Council funding comes, mostly, from 61,000 ratepayers, all of whom have the opportunity to provide input through consultation about how their rates are spent.
“People rightly expect good roads, water services and community amenities,” says Jen. “These are hugely expensive assets that need to be well managed within a constrained amount of funding. Understanding the financial situation is crucial so that opportunities can be leveraged while ensuring the city’s finances are under control.”
The level of risk council is governing is significant, she adds.
“It’s a huge and complex challenge to get that right, anticipating the needs of a growing city, the needs of the people, and meeting the requirements of both local government and central government.
“Tauranga was governed for four years by independent commissioners appointed by central government. The new council has inherited progress made by the commissioners, but also some significant challenges – these require very good discussion, review and decisions to mitigate and/or take them forward.”
Jen strongly supports the ‘team of ten’ led by Mayor Mahe Drysdale.
“It’s important to have varying views around the table and the elected members bring differing backgrounds, attributes and thinking.”
A strong advocate for diversity of thinking in the governance of any organisation, Jen was surprised by the outcome of the election.
“There were some excellent women standing, and more than 50 per cent of voters were women.”
Being the only woman elected questions her assumption that Tauranga is a progressive city.
Taking the CBD development forward was an important decision early on for the new council.
Jen is happy to see new vibrancy in the city centre with the opening of the waterfront boardwalk and playground.
In her own ward, the Marine Parade Boardwalk and Mount Skate Park are terrific new assets for the city, she adds.
“Our decision making needs to recognise the varying needs of our communities within the constraints of keeping rates at levels people can manage. It’s a huge challenge, how to make Tauranga a great city for its people, without busting the bank. I certainly am up for this.”
