Information for Candidates

Role

The Mayor leads Waipā District and chairs the council.

Time commitment

Full time, with a significant professional and personal commitment, including after hours and weekends.

Key responsibilities:

• leads the development of council plans, policies, and budgets;
• chairs council meetings and workshops;
• leads the council and co-ordinates council political activity;
• speaks on behalf of the council;
• represents the council on related organisations, where appointed;
• presides at civic ceremonies;
• attends and speaks at local functions;

Role

The Mayor has the power to appoint the Deputy Mayor. The Deputy Mayor takes on the Mayor’s role and responsibilities when the Mayor is not available. The Deputy Mayor serves on the council with other councillors.

Time commitment

These additional responsibilities can vary depending on the other appointments undertaken by the Deputy Mayor.

Role

To represent the district’s residents and ratepayers, and make decisions on key community and district issues.

Time commitment

Variable, depending on any additional responsibilities that a Councillor might be required to undertake (e.g. chairing a committee or representing the council on another organisation). Likely to be at least 20-30 hours each week, and involve evening and weekend commitments.

Key responsibilities

• attend monthly council, committee meetings, and workshops, some councillors may be responsible for chairing these meetings;
• read plans, reports and agendas, and other meeting preparation work;
• engage with, and advocate for, the public, including attending events and public meetings, and liaising with residents and community groups;
• formulate the council’s strategic direction and priorities through the long term plan and annual plan process, including setting the budget, rates etc
• adopt policies and bylaws across a wide range of activities and services;
• represent the district at functions as required;
• participate in the appointment and performance review of the chief executive.

2022 Local Government Elections will be the first time Waipā can vote for a Māori Ward Councillor (Māori Roll), in addition to the Pirongia-Kakepuku, Te Awamutu-Kihkihi, Maungatautari and Cambridge Ward Councillors and the Waipā District Mayor, elected at large.

Māori Wards provide a way for Māori to contribute to decision-making and have representation at Council. The newly created Waipā District Council Māori Ward Councillor will represent Māori in our community so that our decision-making is fairer and more inclusive. The establishment of Māori Ward guarantees that Māori will be represented at Council.

Electors enrolled on the Māori electoral roll will vote for candidates standing for Māori ward. Similarly, electors enrolled on the general electoral roll will vote for candidates standing for general ward.

The Māori ward councillor elected will represent the entire Waipā district.

Role

Community Board Members represent and act as an advocate for the interests of their community, and make decisions within the delegations provided by the council.

Time commitment

Part time, though the level of commitment will depend on activities or involvement in working groups. Currently, both the Te Awamutu and Cambridge Boards hold their meetings in the evening starting at 6pm. The board chairperson will usually have the greatest time commitment.

Key responsibilities

• engage with local community; promote residents’ issues and initiatives to the board and the council;
• monitor the provision of council services and advocate changes as necessary;
• represent the community to other agencies;
• promote the role of the community board in the wider community;
• work cooperatively with the council.