This section contains information about the roles of elected members and the democratic process.
Updated:
24/01/2012 4:05 p.m.
Elected members
The elected Council is made up of the Mayor and 13 Councillors who represent the community.
As representatives of their communities their key role is to make decisions that will promote community well-being, now and for the future. This generally involves representing and leading the community, setting policies, making regulatory decisions, and reviewing Council performance.
Wards
Whangarei District is divided into 6 wards as follows.
| Bream Bay |
2 |
10,150 |
5,075 |
| Denby |
3 |
18,150 |
6,050 |
| Hikurangi - Coastal |
2 |
10,450 |
5,225 |
| Mangakahia - Maungatapere |
1 |
5,130 |
5,130 |
| Okara |
4 |
23,300 |
5,825 |
| Whangarei Heads |
1 |
5,630 |
5,630 |
The Mayor
The Mayor is elected by the community as a whole, and as one of the elected members shares the same responsibilities as other members of Council. In addition the Mayor is expected to provide leadership and direction to the Council and community, chair Council meetings, be the public voice of the Council, and be accountable to the community.
Follow the link below to see the Mayor's Committee membership and contact details.
The Mayor's page Deputy Mayor
The Deputy Mayor is elected by the members of Council at the first meeting of the Council in each new term. The Deputy Mayor exercises the same roles as other elected members. In addition, if the Mayor is absent or incapacitated, or if the office of Mayor is vacant, then the Deputy Mayor performs all of the responsibilities and duties, and may exercise the powers of the Mayor (as summarised above).
Follow the link below to see the Deputy Mayor's Committee membership and contact details.
The Deputy Mayor's page
Councillors
Elected members, acting as the Council, are responsible for:
- the development and adoption of Council policy.
- monitoring the performance of the Council against
its stated objectives and policies.
- prudent stewardship of Council resources.
- employment of the Chief Executive Officer.
- representing the interests of the residents and
ratepayers of the Whangarei District.
Unless otherwise provided in the Local Government Act 2002 or in standing orders, the Council can only act by majority decisions at meetings. Each member has one vote. Any individual member (including the Mayor) has no authority to act on behalf of the Council unless the Council has expressly delegated such authority.
Code of Conduct
All elected members are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct. The Code provides guidance on the standards of behaviour that are expected from the Mayor and elected members of Whangarei District Council. The code applies to elected members in their dealings with:
- each other
- the Chief Executive Officer
- all staff employed by the Chief Executive Officer on
behalf of the Council
- the media
- the general public.
To view the Code of Conduct for Councillors, follow the link below.
Councillors' Code of Conduct [234kb]
Councillor contacts
Follow the link below to see the list of Councillors, their Committee memberships and contact details.
Mayor and Councillors