Mayor’s family 432km away

Two years after he won the Porirua mayoralty, Mike Tana’s family still lives 432 kilometres away in Rotorua.

One councillor said it was ‘‘bloody disgraceful’’ that, despite a promised move, his wife and six children had still not joined him in Porirua and another said he should back up claims the city was a great place to raise children.

Yesterday, Tana said his family was in Rotorua looking after his father who had had a stroke.

‘‘Of course, this has been very hard for my family but has not hindered my ability to carry out my job as mayor. I believe my commitment to Porirua City over the last two years speaks for itself.’’

The subject of Tana’s longdistance travel was included in a recent phone survey of Porirua residents. They were asked if it concerned them.

It was unknown who commissioned the survey. Tana said it was ‘‘asking loaded questions motivated by political manoeuvrings’’ and that he loved the city.

‘‘People are entitled to their opinions but I think there is a vendetta and other motivations at play here.’’

During his 2016 election campaign, Tana said his family would join him if he was elected mayor of Porirua. After the election, he said they would have to move eventually.

‘‘Rotorua’s great but Porirua has elected me their mayor and I need to do them justice.’’

Councillor Anita Baker said she was sick of the issue and he should have done as promised.

‘‘I think it’s bloody disgraceful. He’s told us from the beginning they would move here and every year they don’t. It’s not satisfactory and I’ve heard people in the community say if it’s not good enough for his family, why should it be good enough for theirs?’’

Councillor Ana Coffey said there was concern about the issue in her Titahi Bay community.

‘‘Any mayor who says their city is a great place to raise a family and to live should back that up with their family being raised here. He knew what the deal was when he ran.’’

Deputy mayor Izzy Ford said elected members were accountable. ‘‘When you campaign, you make promises that you should follow through with and he is answerable to those he promised during campaigning.’’

Other councillors’ reactions were mixed. John Burke said he wasn’t concerned where Tana’s family lived. Mike Duncan said the mayor did a great job and that was what mattered.

Ross Leggett said: ‘‘If it were me, I’d find it impossible to give the job the 100 per cent it deserves with my family elsewhere.’’

Beverley Waken would not comment and John Burke said he wasn’t concerned. Kylie Wihapi said it did not affect her. Faafoi Seilui and Dale Williams could not be reached for comment.

Former Porirua mayor Nick Leggett moved his family to Johnsonville when he ran for the Wellington mayoralty. He said Tana should have done the same.