Mayor eyes second term
‘‘I've learnt a lot of lessons that will hold me in good stead for the rest ofmy life.’’
Ask Mike Tana if he will still be Porirua mayor in ten years’ time and the answer is immediate.
‘‘If the city wants me...you don’t put this much effort in for one term.’’
It’s been a year since a late entry and a grass-roots campaign saw Tana take the mayoralty, and he’s clear on what has been the hardest part of the role.
‘‘Politics. I’ve learnt a lot of lessons that will hold me in good stead for the rest of my life.’’
Reflecting on the job so far, there’s been a couple of highlights for the father of six. His campaign promise of bringing Nasa to Porirua came to fruition in May, and last month it was announced a $21 million adventure park would be built in the city.
Balancing the celebrations was the struggle to keep rates down – also something he campaigned on – with the ratepayers hit with an average increase of 4.5 per cent
‘‘We had revaluations so some people’s rates went way up based on the value of their property – nothing to do with council – we won’t have that in the second year.’’
He said holding the rise to a 4.5 per cent average ‘‘was great, but we’re striving to go lower because we believe that’s what the city is asking for.’’
Another campaign promise was Tana would bring his Rotorua-based family to Porirua if he became mayor. A third of the way into his term, the family are yet to arrive but will ‘‘absolutely’’ join him in the next two years, he said.
Looking ahead, the city is facing big changes with Transmission Gully bearing down on the eastern suburbs and Tana said it was imperative the council got ahead of roading issues. Desti- nation tourism and business development is high on the list of priorities, as is enticing Government agencies to bring their office workers to the central city.
State houses in Waitangirua and Cannons Creek were also in the spotlight and Tana said the council would approach the new Government about smoothing the way to build new and better homes.
A passion project for Tana would be a Waitangirua community hub, based around a library.