Why does Tauranga City Council have so many cars that sit around doing nothing and another lot that get taken home with staff and their partners costing ratepayers the cost of the cars plus fringe benefit tax?

I understand a few roles require on-call cars, but they have many cars taken home and I see them with family going home from work. Why do all the staff at council have free or subsidised Bee bus cards paid by us ratepayers who have to pay full price for bus trips and parking? Having worked in the same building as the council recently, I can’t get over the excess of spending, the lack of recycling and the many roles that seem to duplicate. I think it’s time the council had a clean out and got rid of needless unwarranted spending.

Have a look under the building they have just vacated. They spent tens of thousands on a ‘share the road’ safety vinal wrap that no-one sees. They subsidised electric bikes and scooters for their staff as well. It'’ all being paid for by us the ratepayer. We’re probably paying for our Mayor’s travel costs as well, but that I don’t know.

Tauranga City Council responds: Fleet vehicles: We manage our vehicle fleet to meet work needs efficiently. Some staff use vehicles for urgent or on-call duties, including after-hours. Where vehicles are taken home, this is based on operational necessity. We actively monitor our fleet.

Public transport and active travel: We support staff using sustainable transport. Along with other CBD businesses, council offers discounted Bee Cards and encourages e-bike and scooter use to help reduce traffic, cut emissions, and promote healthier commuting. We help staff buy e-bikes and scooters by arranging discounts with suppliers. Staff can either buy directly using the discount or choose a salary advance option, where we cover the cost upfront and it's paid back across 12 months. If someone leaves before it’s paid off, the remaining amount is recovered. This initiative is part of a wider government push and is already in place at many councils across NZ.

Spending and efficiency: We aim to spend responsibly and improve efficiency. The ‘How we get there matters” banner cost approximately $5890 and was part of a 2021 workplace travel campaign.

Organisational structure: We regularly review staffing to match service needs. A current transformation programme is focused on streamlining operations, cutting costs, and improving efficiency while maintaining service quality.

Mayoral travel costs: The Mayor’s pay, allowances, and vehicle use follow rules set by the Local Government Act and the Remuneration Authority, ensuring fairness and transparency.