SmarterGrowth

The Western Bay of Plenty is entering one of the most significant periods of growth in its history. Over the coming decades, thousands of homes will be built and major infrastructure delivered. The choices we make now will shape how people live, move, connect and experience this region for generations.

The recently signed Regional Deal creates an opportunity for central and local government to work together on that growth. It builds on the long-standing SmartGrowth Strategy and identifies many of the projects needed to support the region’s future.

But projects, governments and funding priorities will change over the next 30 years. How do we make sure we do not lose sight of what we are ultimately trying to achieve?

Roads, housing developments and transport projects are means to an end. What should endure are the principles guiding those decisions – and a shared understanding of what success should look like in 30 years.

That question is at the heart of Smarter Growth.

Looking beyond individual projects

Smarter Growth supports many of the Regional Deal’s ambitions, particularly its focus on housing, infrastructure and economic development.

We also believe lasting prosperity requires us to take an equally long view of things that can be harder to measure: healthy ecosystems, resilient communities, quality urban design, financial sustainability and social wellbeing.

Ultimately, good growth should leave future generations with a stronger region – and more choices – than we have today.

Our SmarterGrowth Principles and Objectives were developed to help frame that conversation. In late July 2026, we invited the community to put them to the test at a Green Drinks workshop.

The room brought together planners, engineers, architects, students, mana whenua, business owners, environmental advocates, retirees and other residents from across the Western Bay. Small groups explored one objective at a time, rotating between tables and building on the ideas left by others.

Although views differed, several themes emerged again and again.

Build compact, connected communities

Much of the discussion focused on the kinds of neighbourhoods people want to call home.

Participants imagined communities in which people of different ages, cultures, incomes and abilities live alongside one another. They wanted a greater range of housing choices, enabling people to remain connected to their neighbourhood as their circumstances change.

One comment was circled several times:

“Start with our neighbours before building out.”

It prompted a wider conversation about making better use of the places and infrastructure we already have. The city centre and Cameron Road corridor featured prominently, along with support for directing more housing towards existing schools, services, businesses and transport links.

Participants also raised the potential of passenger rail, with more homes clustered around future stations, and suggested a ferry connection between the city centre and Mount Maunganui.

Many agreed that Tauranga’s city centre needs more residents. More people living there could support local businesses, bring life to public spaces and create a centre that remains active beyond office hours.

Let nature help shape growth

At the environmental table, participants argued that nature should help shape how the Western Bay grows – not simply be protected from the effects of development.

Two early comments captured the mood:

“Put our environment before profit.”

“Spare for future generations.”

The conversation expanded to include restoring waterways, planting native forests, protecting productive soils, providing more public green space and encouraging development that actively improves biodiversity.

One question generated considerable discussion:

“Do we ever need to utilise all greenfield land?”

Rather than treating urban growth and environmental protection as competing priorities, participants often linked them. Making better use of existing urban areas, improving infrastructure for infill housing and creating attractive medium-density neighbourhoods could all help reduce pressure on productive land and important natural environments.

Perhaps the simplest note expressed the broader sentiment best:

“People need to reconnect with nature.”

Become more resilient to a changing climate

Ideas about climate resilience ranged from practical engineering responses to broader questions about how communities adapt over time.

Participants suggested rainwater harvesting, solar energy, green roofs, restored wetlands, more street trees and infrastructure designed for future climate conditions. They also questioned whether current planning gives enough weight to flood risk – and whether today’s assumptions will continue to serve future generations.

Some looked overseas for inspiration, including Singapore’s approach to stormwater and cities embracing biophilic design.

One comment captured the group’s ambition:

“Let’s be world leaders in climate resilience.”

Resilience was not viewed solely as an engineering challenge. Education, adaptability and community awareness also appeared throughout the discussion. People wanted places that could remain healthy, safe and enjoyable as the climate changes.

Create places where people can connect

The fourth conversation focused on the everyday experience of living in the Western Bay.

Written boldly across the centre of the page were two words:

“Better cycleways.”

Around them were ideas for connected walking routes, safer streets, reliable public transport and welcoming public spaces accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

A particularly strong theme was the need for more “third spaces” – places outside home, school or work where people can spend time and connect.

One participant asked:

“If youths have no place to be, then how do people expect us to get off our phones?”

Participants imagined waterfronts, parks, informal gathering places and neighbourhood centres where different generations could naturally meet.

They also offered practical ideas for creating places with more character: fruit trees instead of purely ornamental planting, revegetated streets, native bush along transport corridors, evening markets and space for local vendors within higher-density neighbourhoods.

Continuing the conversation

One workshop cannot answer every question about the Western Bay’s future. It can, however, create space for ideas and experiences that do not always find their way into formal planning processes.

The Green Drinks discussion reinforced something we have believed from the beginning: people care deeply about the future of this region.

They want growth that is economically successful, environmentally restorative, socially connected and financially sustainable. They want neighbourhoods where nature is part of everyday life, housing and transport work together, and today’s decisions leave future generations with more opportunities – not fewer.

These are the conversations SmarterGrowth wants to keep having.

What would successful growth look like to you – and what should the Western Bay be like in 30 years?