Positive changes for Tauranga's poorest suburb

A new plan designed to bring about change in one of the city's poorest areas was launched in the Tauranga City Council chambers yesterday.

Puahou, stated that the people of Merivale were constantly told that "money and material possessions are the be all and end all of life whilst constantly being denied the opportunities to actually achieve them...''

Merivale Community Incorporated chairman Michael Thomson said the plan was about creating change for the 2397 people in the 859 households that make up Merivale.

"The 2397 residents live and breathe, hope and have aspirations,'' he said.

Chief executive Graham Cameron said he was pleased to see the huge range of people who turned up to the launch to show their support for the centre.

Mayor Stuart Crosby and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges spoke in support of the plan at the launch.