October 11, 2022
Tapsell aims for inclusive Rotorua
New Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell says she intends to be inclusive.
The 30-year-old great-niece of former Eastern Maori MP Sir Peter Tapsell says she’s humbled by her landslide victory.
Despite standing for National at the last election, she says she’s not bound by notions of left and right.
“My style of leadership is more of servant leadership. I always remind myself I am here to serve the people so the biggest role we have as politicians above all else is listening to our communities and actually doing what they want but also what they can afford,” Ms Tapsell says.
She says too many people feel they can’t engage with their politicians or be involved in local decision-making.
She says the influx of Maori into local government through Maori wards should lead to better decision-making.