SmarterGrowth

Our Goal

SmarterGrowth encourages regional partners to shape a Western Bay Deal grounded in shared principles that will save money, protect the environment and create a vibrant city for present and future generations without increasing traffic congestion and pollution.

A polished, dark-wood conference table covered with neatly arranged planning materials: a bound document titled “Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal” in understated navy and white, several colour-coded policy briefs, and a crisp set of architectural and transport diagrams. A single silver pen lies parallel to the edge of the main report, and a slim digital tablet displays a simple dashboard of key regional indicators. The room features floor-to-ceiling glass with an out-of-focus view of a coastal landscape and low-rise urban area. Natural afternoon light fills the space, creating clear reflections on the tablet screen and subtle highlights on the report covers. Photographic realism, eye-level composition, clean and modern mood, expressing professionalism, clarity, and evidence-based regional decision making.
A large, detailed regional map of the Western Bay of Plenty printed on a smooth, matte white board, with clearly defined districts, coastal outlines, transport corridors, and green zones. Thin colored lines show key infrastructure routes and proposed growth areas, with small, neatly designed icons for housing, transport hubs, and environmental reserves. The board rests on a clean, light-wood table in a modern meeting room, surrounded by neatly stacked documents and a closed laptop. Soft, diffused daylight from an unseen window washes across the map, creating gentle shadows at the edges. Photographic realism, shot from a slightly elevated angle with sharp focus throughout, conveying a professional, organised, and strategic atmosphere aligned with regional advocacy and long-term planning.

Who We Are And Why

SmarterGrowth is a regional advocacy kaupapa organised by local residents committed to uniting residents, councils, iwi, business, and communities behind ten principles guiding the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal – with transparent governance, robust evidence, and collective accountability for smarter infrastructure, housing, transport, and climate-resilient investment.

Our kaupapa

Our People

Janie de Malmanche

Transport

Janie de Malmanche is a Registered Occupational Therapist and Wellbeing coach. Janie’s whakapapa spans Ngāti Maniapoto, Denmark, France, Wales, England, and Scotland. She grew up on dairy farms in the Waikato and now lives in Mt Maunganui. Janie also works in mental health settings and is a committed commuter cyclist, which helps with her own mental health (most of the time!).

Manu Caddie

Biodiversity & Land Use

Manu has a background in business, local government and community development. He grew up in Bellevue and lives in the Tauranga CBD. Manu has whakapapa to most of the iwi around Tauranga Moana and has been an elected member on a unity authority (Gisborne District Council).

Michael Carter

Water & Coastal Environments

Michael grew up in Christchurch but now calls Tauranga home. Completing a Master of Architecture degree at Auckland University, he has worked in architecture for over 9 years and understands the importance of well designed spaces and well managed catchments.

Heidi Hughes

Transport & Urban Planning

Heidi Hughes is an urban regeneration advocate with a passion for creating places that are economically successful, environmentally restorative and socially connected.

Drawing on her experience as a former Tauranga City Councillor and her work across transport, housing and community development, Heidi is a strong advocate for evidence-based planning and long-term thinking. She believes the Western Bay of Plenty has an opportunity to grow in ways that strengthen both communities and the natural environment, creating places that future generations will be proud to inherit.

Jo Wills

Housing & Energy

Jo is an Inner Development Goals ambassador, incorporating these principles into her work supporting others towards business models that support the wellbeing of people and planet. She is a regular guest speaker, writer, podcaster as well as running Green Drinks and an IDG hub in Tauranga. She works with Sustainability Options, a social business of 13 years, which operates for the common good, rather than private profit.

Get Involved

Contact our coordination team to discuss proposals, media enquiries, partnership opportunities, or aligning your project with the Regional Deal.

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