Latest news with #WesternBayofPlentyDistrictCouncil
Scoop
7 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Tauranga Boys' College Wins 2025 Enviro Challenge
Press Release – Sustainability Options Tauranga Boys College won the Enviro Challenge Award, and Whakatne High School received the Rising Star Award for their creativity and emerging leadership. The importance of collective climate action amongst youth was evident at 2025's Enviro Challenge competition. Organised by Sustainability Options, this year's Enviro Challenge brought together 77 students from nine Bay of Plenty secondary schools for a one-day sustainability competition held at Tauranga Girls' College. Made possible thanks to the sponsors: Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Whakatāne District Council, and Sustainability Options. Tauranga Boys' College won the Enviro Challenge Award, and Whakatāne High School received the Rising Star Award for their creativity and emerging leadership. Back due to popular demand after a 6 year hiatus, run by Sustainability Options team members Amy Earles (leader of the 2019 Enviro Challenge winning team) and Jo Wills (a longtime organiser), the event gave students a chance to explore sustainability through five interactive activities: Presenting a sustainability audit of their school An upcycling task using a mystery box of waste materials A photo challenge based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals A structured debate on a topical environmental issue A sustainability quiz The energy and creativity on the day were evident in projects like a rainwater recovery system built entirely from repurposed items. Photography entries showed impressive insight into global sustainability goals, and debates revealed a depth of critical thinking from all schools. Students shared mahi from their kura ranging from native restoration to food sovereignty, energy and water efficiency, and local partnerships—demonstrating a strong understanding of real-world environmental challenges. The three judges certainly had their work cut out for them and were impressed by the standard of work produced: Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Ilze Kruis stated 'Congratulations to the winners and all the schools participating in the 2025 Enviro Challenge. Your innovative approaches to sustainability have genuinely restored my faith in the younger generation's ability to implement impactful projects, both within your schools and in the wider environment. It's inspiring to see the next wave of leaders step up and take action. Keep pushing forward—your efforts are more important than ever.' 'Congratulations to all the schools that participated in this year's Enviro Challenge. It was truly inspiring to see such creative ideas, meaningful content, and passion the students brought to the event—making the judging process a very challenging one,' said Tauranga City Council's Gabriel Hurford. 'The students are all leading the way in making a positive difference, one step at a time.' Karen Summerhayes, from Whakatāne District Council added 'Congratulations to all the participating teams. It was inspiring to see the creative thinking and relevant content that was presented. Struggling to ingrain sustainable behaviour within the school community was a common theme but these young people are certainly leading the way.' Thanks to the participating schools: Te Puke High School, Aquinas College, Pāpāmoa College, Tauranga Boys' College, Tauranga Girls' College, Katikati College, Ōtūmoetai College, Mount Maunganui College, and Whakatāne High School.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Scoop
Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen – It's Your Time To Shine This Winter!
If you cycle, walk or scoot, keep an eye out for pop-up checkpoints along main cycle routes over the next two weeks, reminding you to shine brightly in the upcoming darker months to stay safe. The pop-ups are part of the 'Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen' campaign led by Travel Safe — a joint initiative between Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Commuters travelling by bike, foot or scooter are encouraged to stop for a chat and check they're properly kitted out to be safe and seen from dusk till dawn this winter. Arataki Ward Councillor Rick Curach says people cycling, walking, running or scootering are some of our most vulnerable road users and should ensure they can be seen by other path or road users, especially during times of low light and poor visibility. 'Whether you're commuting to work, study or school, being active for fun or fitness, or popping down to the local shops, we want to encourage people to take extra care and keep safe by being fully visible on the roads,' says Rick. 'Being seen is essential to keeping safe. Using front and rear bike lights and wearing bright, reflective and high-visibility clothing are simple ways for people being active to improve their visibility. I always make sure I'm easily visible when I am using my electric scooter.' When cycling at night or in low-visibility conditions, bikes must have a red rear light (steady or flashing) and a white or yellow front light (only one may flash), both visible from at least 200 metres. Pedal reflectors are also required on the front and back of each pedal; if these are not fitted, the rider must wear reflective material. For more information on road safety, visit
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Mayor Thanks Community For Feedback
Press Release – Tauranga City Council Councils proposed model is a multi-council controlled organisation (CCO) with potential partners, including Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale thanks the people of Tauranga Moana for providing feedback on two important topics: the draft Annual Plan 2025/26 and Local Water Done Well. During the month-long consultation period – from 28 March to 28 April 2025 – Council received 968 submissions, with 96 people wanting to speak to their submission at the upcoming hearings. To make a submission, people were encouraged to visit council's website and provide feedback via an online form. More than 20 events were also held across the city in April, providing an opportunity for the community to find out more and share their thoughts with the Mayor and Councillors. 'Thank you to those who came along. This was one of the first opportunities we've had as a group to get out into the community and talk with people about what matters to them and ask whether we have the right balance between investing in our future and keeping rates affordable now,' says Mahé. 'We realise it's not always possible to come at the allocated times and with that in mind, we're also running councillor drop-in sessions throughout the year.' In addition to consulting on the draft Annual Plan 2025/26, under policy direction from central government, all councils are required to consult with their communities and decide on a proposed future delivery model for drinking water, wastewater and storm water services. This is known as Local Water Done Well. Council assessed a number of options and three were offered for community consideration. Council's proposed model is a multi-council controlled organisation (CCO) with potential partners, including Western Bay of Plenty District Council. In addition, a Tauranga City Council standalone CCO was consulted on. This model would be solely-owned and controlled by Tauranga City Council. The third option consulted on was for Tauranga City Council to keep its current model, where water services are kept in-house, with changes to comply with new legislation. Mahe says everyone who made a submission has contributed to the decision-making process. 'Every submission will be read and considered, and we are looking forward to hearing from those who wish to speak to their submissions at Council meetings this week.' Hearings will take place at Council Chambers, 90 Devonport Road in Tauranga from 9am-5pm on Tuesday, 13 May and at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from 1pm-7pm on Wednesday, 14 May. All submissions will then be considered during the deliberations on the draft Annual Plan 2025/25 and Local Water Done Well from Monday, 26 May. Once decisions are made, the final Annual Plan document will be completed and brought to the Council to adopt on 26 June. Following consideration of Local Water Done Well feedback, Council is also tasked with completing a Water Services Delivery Plan, which is required to be submitted to central government before 3 September. This plan will set-out how Tauranga will provide a financially sustainable waters service for the future and is required to be accepted by government. See Council meetings and agendas for more information.
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Mayor Thanks Community For Feedback
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale thanks the people of Tauranga Moana for providing feedback on two important topics: the draft Annual Plan 2025/26 and Local Water Done Well. During the month-long consultation period – from 28 March to 28 April 2025 – Council received 968 submissions, with 96 people wanting to speak to their submission at the upcoming hearings. To make a submission, people were encouraged to visit council's website and provide feedback via an online form. More than 20 events were also held across the city in April, providing an opportunity for the community to find out more and share their thoughts with the Mayor and Councillors. 'Thank you to those who came along. This was one of the first opportunities we've had as a group to get out into the community and talk with people about what matters to them and ask whether we have the right balance between investing in our future and keeping rates affordable now,' says Mahé. 'We realise it's not always possible to come at the allocated times and with that in mind, we're also running councillor drop-in sessions throughout the year.' In addition to consulting on the draft Annual Plan 2025/26, under policy direction from central government, all councils are required to consult with their communities and decide on a proposed future delivery model for drinking water, wastewater and storm water services. This is known as Local Water Done Well. Council assessed a number of options and three were offered for community consideration. Council's proposed model is a multi-council controlled organisation (CCO) with potential partners, including Western Bay of Plenty District Council. In addition, a Tauranga City Council standalone CCO was consulted on. This model would be solely-owned and controlled by Tauranga City Council. The third option consulted on was for Tauranga City Council to keep its current model, where water services are kept in-house, with changes to comply with new legislation. Mahe says everyone who made a submission has contributed to the decision-making process. 'Every submission will be read and considered, and we are looking forward to hearing from those who wish to speak to their submissions at Council meetings this week.' Hearings will take place at Council Chambers, 90 Devonport Road in Tauranga from 9am-5pm on Tuesday, 13 May and at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from 1pm-7pm on Wednesday, 14 May. All submissions will then be considered during the deliberations on the draft Annual Plan 2025/25 and Local Water Done Well from Monday, 26 May. Once decisions are made, the final Annual Plan document will be completed and brought to the Council to adopt on 26 June. Following consideration of Local Water Done Well feedback, Council is also tasked with completing a Water Services Delivery Plan, which is required to be submitted to central government before 3 September. This plan will set-out how Tauranga will provide a financially sustainable waters service for the future and is required to be accepted by government. See Council meetings and agendas for more information.
