Councils Internal communication / LGOIMA 

OPEN LETTER TO THE ELECTED MEMBERS

Re: Duty to Investigate Alleged Fraud that resulted in the Purchase of 21 Homes  and a section under false pretenses. 

Dear Mayor Drysdale and Elected members, 

I write to you regarding serious allegations of fraud and misconduct relating to the purchase of 21 homes under circumstances of duress and false representation. These allegations implicate lawyers, consultants, staff and media connected with the Council.

The scale of the wrongdoing alleged is enormous and cannot be dismissed or ignored any further. As elected representatives, you are duty bound to investigate these matters thoroughly and transparently, and to work with those raising legitimate concerns. A unanimous decision to work with us would be the correct decision for each councilor. 

Despite repeated complaints and attempts to seek accountability, there has been no meaningful or prudent investigation. This continuing inaction is a breach of public duty and undermines public confidence in the Council’s ability to govern responsibly.

I therefore call on you to:

1. Publicly acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations with honorable intent. 

2. Commit to an investigation with us into the transactions. To allow a provision for an independent investigation. 

.Instruct the CEO to provide me and any others with Bella Vista LGOMIA information at no cost since we are putting together for you the FULL STORY! 

4. Ensure that all parties—including lawyers, consultants, and staff—are fully scrutinized.

It is my view that the law firm Rice Speir and lawyer Nathan Speir are unable to provide further advice to the Council on this issue, as their prior involvement creates a clear conflict of interest.

The failed private prosecution of Engineer Bruce Cameron and Danny Cancian was reportedly undertaken on the basis of legal advice from Rice Speir. I understand that it was this advice which the Council relied upon in instructing and proceeding with those legal processes.

Given this history, it would be inappropriate and improper for the same law firm or individuals to continue advising the Council on matters that are directly connected to their earlier advice and actions. 

Before an independent and impartial legal review commences. Council need to work with us.  We have access to all released documents. We have documents that Council don't have due to the destruction of Bella Vista documents early on that Bella Vista kept. 

I have taken a public stand to assist the community in being fully aware of the misconduct and the Council’s failure to work with us. 

This is about real PEOPLE "OUR PEOPLE" who I have no doubt are victims of crime! Let's look after victims NOT those responsible for the cruelty - some of whom still work for or are connected to Council. 

I find it unbelievable and abhorrent that you Mayor Drysdale and Chief Executive Marty Grenfell have been lied to. However you can not sustain your position hiding what is potentially serious crime when it's raised with you time and again. 

Council response was to attack me in house and in the community. 

Sincerely,

Suzie Edmonds

Dear Mayor Drysdale and Elected Members

Please see the response letter and supporting attachments below

sincerely 

Suzie Edmonds

Dear Mayor and Elected Members,

I am writing to formally request that you take immediate steps to terminate the Chief Executive, given the ongoing dissatisfaction of Tauranga residents and ratepayers with Tauranga City Council. This request is based on a sustained pattern of serious failings, questionable decision-making, and a lack of accountability in the management of significant council and public matters.

While many of you may scoff at this letter and continue the vitriol towards me, I (and others) have too much information to ignore. No, Mayor Drysdale, I do not represent anyone in a formal capacity; however, I do assist many with issues and have numerous followers and supporters who share these concerns.

The following examples (not exhaustive) highlight the depth of the problem:

1. Bella Vista Development

• Forcing all 20 affected homeowners into the sale of their properties under duress, requiring all owners to sign, or no one could sell.

• Blocking elected members from scrutinising the Bella Vista case, and now stating it is “closed” — which is simply unacceptable.

• Failure to address the malicious prosecutions against developer Danny Cancian and Bruce Cameron, which both failed. Bruce Cameron has no convictions.

• The Chief Executive has stated all aspects have been “extensively reviewed and reported on and/or tested via court action and findings” — yet the only court actions were prosecutions lost by Council (except two still before the Criminal Case Review Commission).

• Significant new evidence has never been allowed to be presented, despite former Mayor Powell and the Chief Executive agreeing in December 2019 to review it.

2. Court Cases

• Attempting to strike out legal cases brought against the Council by affected parties, including cases involving Danny Cancian, Doug Owens, and David Holland.

• Possible conflicts of interest relating to the ‘Risk Pool’ insurance scheme.

• When meeting with insurers after they accepted TCC’s Bella Vista claim, it became clear they had not been provided with key Council documents and information — raising concerns over transparency and follow-up.

3. Marine Precinct, Marina Management, and Marine Park

• Staff recommendations to sell the Marine Precinct without full and transparent public consultation.

• Failure to hold the Tauranga Marina Society accountable for the mismanagement of a $100 million public asset.

• Inaction on long-standing concerns about the Marine Park Agreement, and failure to keep elected members informed.

4. Rowesdale Development

• Allowing residents to be threatened into lifting covenants on their properties to enable developer access — without ensuring adequate road safety.

• This in an already heavily congested suburb, where increased traffic will only exacerbate safety risks.

5. Parking & City Centre Management

• Selling a half-built parking building for $1 in a deal that presented a clear conflict of interest.

• Reducing central city parking to the point where businesses have been severely impacted or destroyed.

• Approving the Devonport Road car park deal, further harming CBD viability.

6. Bay Venues Ltd & Community Facilities

• Allowing Bay Venues Ltd to present a deliberately misleading plan to Commissioners regarding the Otumoetai Pool and QEII Centre.

• Public statements about the QEII building’s demolition due to asbestos were never corrected, despite being misleading.

• Misrepresenting the geotechnical situation at Otumoetai Pool to advance the proposed “dream” aquatic centre over maintaining existing community facilities.

7. Animal Cruelty

• Allow much-loved family dogs to be destroyed without practicing discretion, as per the law, as happens in other Councils, looking at all circumstances. 

8. Personal Attacks and Culture

• A toxic “5 D” approach (Deny, Delay, Deflect, Dismiss, Discredit) towards community members who try to work with Council.

• Appalling treatment from both staff and elected members.

• Evidence of Council staff monitoring my activities and targeting community advocates such as Erika Harvey, who has always conducted herself professionally but has endured disgraceful attacks.

These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a culture of poor governance, disregard for community input, and a willingness to prioritise private or internal interests over public trust and safety.

The Chief Executive — whom I have previously supported — is ultimately accountable for the performance, transparency, and integrity of this organisation. The public has the right to demand leadership change when this pattern becomes clear. Tauranga City deserves a Chief Executive who will act with integrity, uphold public confidence, and ensure accountability at all levels.

The inability to accept fault after determinations have been made (whether by MBIE, Justice Heath, or other official parties), along with the inhumane treatment of those who have stood up to TCC, reveals a toxic culture that has shown no signs of abating under this newly elected council.

Most of these issues are not in the past — they are ongoing. Allowing the Chief Executive to continue without transparency and vigilance is not acceptable. 

I therefore urge you, as our elected representatives, to move without delay to seek the CEO’s resignation and appoint leadership that will restore public trust.

Yours sincerely,
Suzie Edmonds