[5] On 20 November 2020, Mayor of Tauranga Tenby Powell resigned following infighting between himself and city councillors.

[6][7][8] Following further mayoral "outbursts," [9][10] Powell publicly called for the Minister of Local Government to appoint a commission to replace the "dysfunctional" council.

Indeed, in everyday usage, the term the council is extended to include not just the Mayor and Councillors, but the entire organisation.

The organisation is focused on addressing three critical challenges within the city: The council is vested with a power of "general competence" for the social, economic and cultural well-being of Tauranga.

In particular, the council has responsibility for a range of local services, including roads (except state highways), water, sewerage, glass recycling, parks and reserves, and libraries.

Urban development is managed through the maintenance of a District plan and associated zoning regulations, together with building and resource consents.

The council has been given extra powers to regulate certain types of business operations, notably suppliers of alcohol and brothels.