After a two year trial, Tauranga City Council passed a bylaw formalising the Hairini Bus Lane. They did this without full consultation and in spite of strong opposition from the local hapu Ngāi Te Ahi and community. 

An exemption allowing locals to use the bus lane in off-peak times was requested but  denied for 'safety' reasons. Fines of $150 have subsequently been imposed on those using the lane.

This road sits on Ngāi Te Ahi ancestral lands and this action is the latest in a long string of roading decisions made by TCC that have impacted negatively on our people and the wider community.  

We are  calling for a thorough review of the council hapū consultation process that led to this bus lane decision.  We are also asking council to review its decision on off-peak exemptions and instant fines.