Western Bay mayor James Denyer has been re-elected with a stronger mandate and a renewed focus on regional collaboration, housing, and transport, reports David Porter
Western Bay mayor James Denyer with his deputy, Margaret Murray-Benge.
Western Bay mayor James Denyer learned of his re-election while speeding across the harbour on a Coastguard vessel – a fitting start to a second term focused on momentum, alignment, and delivery.
Denyer won with an increased majority and has appointed Margaret Murray-Benge as his deputy.
“I’m very pleased to have been re-elected,” he told The News. “The margin of victory was larger than I expected – there were some strong candidates in the mix.”
Darlene Dinsdale was elected to represent the Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward, though this will be her final term. In a binding referendum held alongside the election, residents voted to remove the ward from 2028.
One of the new council’s first tasks is hiring a permanent chief executive for the Western Bay.
“We have an interim at the moment, so the new hiring is being progressed now.”
A top priority for the mayor is progressing the regional memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently announced by the government. The agreement, which includes Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty, aims to streamline development processes across local and national agencies.
“We need to finalise the regional deal either later this year or earlier next year,” he says.
James Denyer
It was important to create long-term alignment otherwise local governments could come and go without achieving what was needed.
Denyer says he is looking forward to putting together a team for the new council.
“There are new councillors there and I look forward to working with them to pull us together in a cohesive team. That’s what we’re doing now.”
He identified transport, housing, and the cost of living as his top priorities for the term ahead. He believes the regional deal could help unlock better infrastructure and housing opportunities.
Spending smartly and prudent financial management would help with the cost of living, he said.
As for the moment he learned of his win, Denyer was aboard the Waihī Beach Coastguard’s new vessel during its maiden voyage. “We were going full ball in the harbour when the call came through – I could barely hear it,” he said.
