What has gone wrong with our Public Transport?

Oh my goodness – why are our buses not attracting patronage? Tauranga’s bus patronage is negative for the past year, in spite of strong population growth; and in Rotorua it is an absolute disaster - down nearly 19% for the year. Up until the end of 2013 Tauranga Bus patronage was increasing strongly, but since then patronage has been going down. Why – I would say it is because Councillors aren’t taking enough interest to ensure that the bus service is fit for purpose. I say that after reading all the minutes of the Regional Council’s Public Transport sub-committee. Talking to commuters, our buses are not reliable – often being very late so that commuters can’t rely on the timetables to get them to work on time. This is hopeless, and a huge waste of ratepayers and taxpayers money.

Our buses are too big, being rarely filled, and the bus service makes our Regional Council look bad. Come on Bay of Plenty Regional Council – stop wasting our targeted rate, and get the bus service reliable so that our commuters can have confidence; so that they will begin to use the service as envisioned. Don’t accept mediocracy – get the buses running to time, and the fares structured appropriately (not one fare no matter how far you travel), and the commuters will come.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me

Planned $520m Highway upgrade a huge win for Western Bay

Minister Simon Bridges’ announcement last week is huge for the Western Bay and Tauranga in particular. The Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee, chaired by Councillor Jane Nees, had for many years prioritised a new motorway out past Rotorua’s Airport above Tauranga’s Northern Corridor. This was plain madness, with strong growth in Tauranga and the Western Bay, and negative growth in Rotorua. Last month NZ Transport Agency announced that the Rotorua Eastern (out to the Airport) proposition had been scrapped, saying the land held for this would now be sold. I argued for this as far back as 2007, so am delighted. The commitment of $520m for the Highway between Tauranga and Waihi shows recognition of not only a huge safety problem, but also of the rising significance of this route for our ever increasing tourism. Simon Bridges and NZTA need congratulating for making the right decision, rather than continuing to pander to a parochial Rotorua.

One rule for all update

Thanks to the countless people who emailed me regarding the squatter in our (your) park. I got just two emails that inferred I was a racist for raising the issue, but that was to be expected! Has he been removed – unfortunately not… To get our Council off its backside, I think the next move might be to put a big sign up beside the motorway saying “Freedom Campers Welcome.” My thanks to Councillor Bev Edlin for at least trying to get her Council staff to take action.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me

Please Tauranga City – one rule for all

For the past six weeks the park adjourning Takitimu Drive (below 9th Avenue) has been the home of a squatter. This isn’t your usual homeless person, but this is an “occupation” by one Mr Ranginui (that is the name he told me) who already has a home (according to him) adjourning, or part of, the Judea Marae. He says that he has a dispute with the Marae, and that as a tribe member of Ngati Ranginui he owns the park, and Tauranga City Council (and the police) can’t evict him.

I asked Councillor Bev Edlin for help, and both Tauranga City staff and the police have visited Mr Ranginui. He tells me that he has told them to take him to Court, and as a result there seems to be no further action, and he continues to squat there.

I pointed out to the squatter that Ngati Ranginui has been part of the 2012 Treaty Settlement of $140 million ($38 million directly to Ngati Ranginui), and that is full and final settlement for all Tauranga confiscated land. He just doesn’t want to listen, and locals are getting annoyed that this gentleman can continue to squat (including defecating in the bushes), and forcing female walkers and joggers to refrain from using this section of the track at and after dusk. I have been told that he has been abusive to several female walkers, and my questioning him saw his aggression rise also.

I know that if I tried to set up a tent there, the Council would have me immediately evicted. Come on Tauranga City Staff – show some backbone and get this squatter removed. We can’t have different rules for different ethnicities.

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me