Mike Hosking: It's time we merge our local councils Tue, 16 Mar 2021, 4:46PM Former Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell has called for Bay of Plenty councils to be merged. (Photo / File) Mike Hosking: It's time we merge our local councils Tenby Powell is keeping up the good fight. He’s the former mayor of Tauranga. Having moved back to the region, he won the election only to find small town New Zealand at times, especially at council level, can be introspective and spiteful. He ended up quitting and such was the mess around the chamber, commissioners have been put in. Looking on from the side-lines but still clearly passionate about his region, he has made the appeal for those commissioners to consider merging local councils so they can then actually get on with running the place.