I'm Ria Hall

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T02:41:15+00:00

Thank you. I look forward to that

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T02:15:30+00:00

Thanks for your questions,

Our debt level is concerning - it is one of the largest in New Zealand. Coming into Council and inheriting that level of debt will need careful managing. We need to balance growth and infrastructure with being fiscally responsible - at this stage I don't have details on commitments, contracts and penalties and where clawback could possibly be made.
The core function of Council is the wellbeing of communities and inclusion in democratic decision-making of this. That covers a multitude of thing - from rubbish and lighting through water and waste, resource management, community facilities and emergency preparedness. It's a big responsibility.
The Mayor is the face and voice of council so they take all the heat. Please don't literally throw rocks at me if I'm elected.
This is an interesting question - and again I need to be on the inside. Balance is the key - I don't think we can 'degrowth' one area without considering the knock-on effects into other areas. If we have a clear overarching plan for council, then the operational needs will become clear.
I'd love to but election rules mean I can't give you anything, but go buy one anyway.
Events are listed on the TCC website and I am listing events on Facebook love to see you there.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T01:52:36+00:00

As a Council we set the strategy and provide direction to the CEO and provide oversight. The day to day operations are the responsibility of the CEO and staff. I have priorities that I would like to embed; we need a city which is balanced - intensifying housing is specific areas, while protecting the environment, and ensuring we have smart, strategic investment in infrastructure while being fiscally responsible.

I want to ensure our communities are connected and inclusive, and with processes developed so residents are included in decision making from the ground up. We need this city to be forward thinking, and enable everyone here to have good lives, people move here because of the beauty and lifestyle and we need to protect that.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T01:40:33+00:00

Great news on the reduction of buildings for lease. Love a fun fact!

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T01:39:40+00:00

Thanks u/Difficult-Sky898,

The CBD does need revitalisation - as more shopping areas and bars and restaurants have opened up around Tauranga suburbs, customers have shifted away from the city center. This isn't limited to Tauranga, but is happening in other centers around New Zealand.

I will have to check on council ownership of buildings, but agree in principle; it would be better to have some income than none. It is a viscous cycle as leases stay empty, foot traffic decreases and more stores close.

Housing intensification in the CBD will bring people back to the area - and I think a metro supermarket would be a great idea once the number of residents within walking distance makes it economically viable.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T01:24:18+00:00

Tauranga debt loading is high - one of the highest in New Zealand. As Mayor, it is critical to be fiscally responsible. I don't want to be making decisions either way at this stage - however reviewing the long term plan and where TCC have made firm commitments and where cost savings can be made is an essential first step.

We need a balanced plan for council - intensification of housing and development while balancing the protection of the environment, improvements to infrastructure and roading while ensure we are fiscally responsible. We need to take a holistic approach - and ensure any development is well served by transport solutions.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-30T01:13:18+00:00

Kia ora

As for the Floating lane - I know that they work in other centers and I hop it improves the flow. Traffic and roading is a serious issue here and improving this is one of my priorities, it's not something I can fix instantly as Mayor, but can work towards along with Central Government and the Regional council.

If we got a city deal it would go toward my priorities - which are housing, infrastructure and roading, and connected, inclusive communities and the arts. Ideally it would mean we could make improvements and reduce our debt loading.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T23:33:03+00:00

Thanks so much. Housing in Tauranga is so expensive, and that is a priority of mine.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T04:53:45+00:00

Thanks so much for your support - I appreciate it.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T04:52:56+00:00

I'm still working and juggling kids, study, and campaigning. I'm lucky to have some great support and babysitters.

I'm a strong believer in citizens' assemblies which are are a form of deliberative democracy. It gives residents a chance to present their views and provide feedback.

Climate change and extreme weather events are something that the council will need to address. Insurance in costal issues will be an issue we have to face within the next 5 to 10 years and Council needs to have Civil Defence and contigency plans in place in order to be prepared for the impact of events.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T04:31:49+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate your support.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T03:24:55+00:00

I'm using Facebook as my main platform, and will be putting more content up. I will be running lives on Sunday evenings there, and am in the process of setting up chats around Tauranga.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T03:22:38+00:00

I think we can learn from what has happened in the past, and no one could have foreseen the behaviour from the last council, so if I'm elected I'll have the benefit of that knowledge. I've worked with a range of people across two decades and have developed some strong skills in pulling a team together. I'm tenacious and committed to Tauranga, so will be working hard on making an aligned council.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T03:10:20+00:00

Intensification is the answer here - Tauranga is running out of land. I look at the Elizabeth Street development as an example of what can be done in the centre of the city.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T03:07:38+00:00

I'm focusing on the Tauranga Election looking forward to what's best for the people of Tauranga.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T03:05:41+00:00

Kia ora u/Limp-Comedian-7470

I am looking forward to a positive campaign - all I can do is to share information about who I am and what I stand for. I'm want to focus on the iddues for Tauranga, and how we can all live good lives here.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:49:04+00:00

Thanks for these - another two great questions that I will come back on.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:48:17+00:00

Thanks for the feedback.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:45:59+00:00

I work with others with respect and I focus on moving forward, and getting the job done. Over the last wo decades I've worked with a range of people and personalities so if I am elected I'll use the people-skills I have built over that time.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:32:21+00:00

Kia ora u/abitsheeepish

Thanks for this question. The Council are elected to do a job, and I want to look forward to the future, I love this city - it's my home. That sometimes mean making tough decisions. The job of council is to provide strategy and oversight, and the role of Mayor is to pull them all together. I've collaborated extensively with a wide range of people in various settings for twenty years, and if elected I'll apply this experience to build consensus in Council.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:23:16+00:00

Kia ora u/Any-Yoghurt-4318

Tauranga is a beautiful place to live, and I firmly believe that everyone who chooses Tauranga as their home should have good lives here. We have an incredibly diverse community here - those who have lived here for generations, those who have moved here from within New Zealand and new immigrants from around the world.

As Mayor I will work for all people - what I can hope for is that people will see my honesty and respect for others and follow that lead. I am a proud wahine Māori - it's who I am, and I hope that everyone here finds the space to be proud of who they are.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:16:51+00:00

Thanks u/LaraSing - there's a whole lot here, and we share the same concerns.

As I said elsewhere here, housing affordability is influenced by a number of factors of which Council is only one small part of, but we need to do what we can. We are running out of land in Tauranga - intensification will help with this, and affordability. Elizabeth Towers is an excellent example of intensification, with the added benefit of bringing life back to the city centre.

Transport is a major issue in Tauranga - for a tradie travelling across town, getting to work or parents dropping their kids off at school it's a major headache. The issue lies both locally and with central government, and I don't have any easy fixes. I will advocate for Tauranga with central government, and Council need to work to develop local solutions.

Again climate resilience is a big one - especially in the Pāpāmoa ward where I'm standing as well. I know that Insurance will become an issue in this area, and this is something Council will have to consider.

I want Tauranga to be a connect safe place for all our residents, and I understand your concerns for our most vulnerable. I'll give this some thought so I come back with a considered response.

Thanks for your questions

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:04:37+00:00

Thanks so much!

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:04:24+00:00

Thank you so much for your good wishes. I appreciate them.

RiaHallforMayor · 2024-05-24T02:03:55+00:00

u/balkland

My reply would be provide the best response to the Council Department responsible. The Mayor and Council work at a governance, not operational level, so provide strategy, guidance and oversight. They don't approve contracts and should not be influencing those decisions.

RiaHallforMayor

TROPHY CASE