Tauranga City Councillors will continue to be elected using a ward system after the Local Government Commission released its decision on the issue on Friday.
There are some slight changes to the previous electoral system, however, with the city now divided into three wards; Otumoetai-Pyes Pa, Mount Maunganui-Papamoa and Te Papa-Welcome Bay, with two councillors for each instead of one councillor for each as previously.

File Graphic with Google Earth.

In addition to the ward councillors, four more will be elected at-large, as will the position of Mayor.
The decision reflects the concerns of the residents who fought the council's move to remove the ward system, says Mount Maunganui resident Allan Goodhall.
'I think it is a very good decision. I'm somewhat surprised that they didn't divide the other side into two, but they have gone for three. The Commission has kept the local in local government.
'More than 30 people made a submission, which is a considerable number of people who felt strongly enough to put a lot of energy into doing this.”
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says the decision reflects the fact that it was made by a Wellington-based body that does not have local knowledge, but the decision of itself, does not significantly change anything.
'Newly elected members already make a pledge when taking office to ‘serve the community at-large', and this is very much the way we currently operate,” says Stuart. 'We will, of course, work with the Commission's decision for the October elections this year.”
The election date is October 9.