Tauranga's First Maori ward councillor will be on paid medical leave for the rest of the year

The Local Democracy Reporting service reports Mikaere Sydney will continue getting his Tauranga City Councillor salary of 135-thousand dollars.

Two days after last month's election, the council announced Sydney was undergoing medical treatment in hospital.

He will be granted a leave of absence until the end of the year ... if he's still unwell then he will need to apply for a renewal or resign.

Fellow councillor Hautapu Baker says he wants the public to be aware that Sydney has no influence over the amount he's paid.