While the full Council has the final say, it is the committees that initiate and monitor the policies.

Council committees work across a variety of issues relating to land use, urban and community planning and development, infrastructure and facilities.

Policy and Planning Committee

Members:  Mayor and all councillors
Chair:  Norm Bruning (Kaimai Ward)

This committee sets out policy and plans that support the Long Term Council .

The committee's main role is to ensure the development of cost efficient and effective strategies and plans.

Services Committee

Members:  Mayor and all councillors
Chair:  Paul Thomas (Te Puke Ward)

The Services Committee must ensure that the policies, strategies and plans of Council are being put into effect in the best way.  It does this by overseeing specific projects, policies and plans in the following areas:

Transportation - roading operations including bridges, footpaths, roads (including lighting, kerb and channelling, berms), service lanes, accessways, traffic signals and signs

Utilities - wastewater treatment and disposal, water supply, stormwater disposal and solid waste (rubbish)

Local purpose parks and reserves

Community facilities - pensioner housing, libraries, public toilets, camping grounds, cemeteries

Recreational and sporting facilities - pools, halls, reserves, gardens, playgrounds, wharves, jetties, marinas and boat ramps, beaches, walkways

Council property - buildings, depots and offices

All other services and corporate functions of Council.

Sustainable Communities Committee

Members:  Mayor and councillors Norm Bruning (Kaimai Ward), Maureen Burgess (Te Puke Ward), Sue Matthews (Maketu Ward), Margaret Murray-Benge (Kaimai Ward) and Mike Williams (Katikati Ward)
Chair:  Jo Gravit (Kaimai Ward)

This committee progresses work with other local and central government agencies to meet the social and cultural needs of our communities.

This committee also focuses on climate change and environmental issues and ensures the development of Council's commitment to the four 'wellbeings' for our communities: environmental, social, economic and cultural.

District Plan Committee

Members:  Mayor and all councillors
Chair:  Ross Goudie (Waihi Beach Ward)

This committee was set up in 2007 to focus on the planning required for the revision of the District Plan. This work has taken three years and is almost completed. The Proposed District Plan is now released for public viewing. 

The District Plan is the key document that enables Council to carry out its functions under the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Sub-regional Parks Committee

Members:  Mayor and councillors Jo Gravit (Kaimai Ward), Sue Matthews (Maketu Ward), also included are two co-opted members of Tauranga City Council and tangata whenua representatives from Pirirakau, Ngati Ruahine and Ngaitamarawaho
Chair:  Sam Dunlop (Katikati Ward)

The Sub-regional Parks Committee has governance over Council's public parks.

Council has two major sub-regional parks projects underway - the TECT All Terrain Park (off State Highway 36), the main road link between Tauranga and Rotorua) and Huharua Harbour Park (Plummers Point).  The Committee will also be involved in considering other sub-regional parks projects, should they arise, with neighbouring local authorities over the next three years.

Regulatory Hearings Committee

Members:  Sam Dunlop (Katikati Ward), Ross Goudie (Waihi Beach Ward), Jo Gravit (Kaimai Ward), Margaret Murray-Benge (Kaimai Ward) and Paul Thomas (Te Puke Ward)
Chair:  Michael Jones (Te Puke Ward)

This committee makes decisions on statutory or regulatory matters and ensures Council's statutory and regulatory functions are carried out property.

Its main role is to make decisions on matters such as resource management, animal enforcement notices, stock droving applications, regulatory hearings (building and health), bylaw administration and joint hearings.

Under the Resource Management Act all members must hold associated qualifications to serve on this committee.