The Ōtorohanga District is currently governed by a Council comprising of a Mayor and 9 Councillors.

The mayor is elected by all of the ratepayers of the District, and the 9 Councillors are elected by the ratepayers within 7 defined ward areas within the District.

Primary Roles of the Mayor and Councillors:

• Setting the policy direction of Council
• Monitoring the performance of Council
• Representing the interests of the people of the Ōtorohanga District
• Employing the Chief Executive

Additional Roles of the Mayor:

• Presiding over full Council meetings, and ensures their orderly conduct
• Advocating on behalf of the community of the District
• Being the ceremonial head of Council
• Providing leadership to other elected members

Community Boards

Council has established Community Boards in Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia/Aotea.

Community Boards are sufficiently distinct from the rest of the District and provide a separate layer of representation.

Roles of the Community Boards:

• Advocating the interests of its communities
• Considering and reporting on all matters referred to it by Council, or any matter of concern to the Community Board
• Maintaining an overview of services provided by the territorial authority within the community
• Preparing an annual submission to Council for expenditure within the community
• Communicating with their communities
• Undertaking other responsibilities delegated to it by Council

The Community Boards may make recommendations to Council on any matter of interest and may seek approval for any initiative for which authority has not already been delegated.

Council makes decisions on whether to adopt recommendations made by the Boards, but has maintained a good relationship with the Boards.

This gives the Boards significant control over Council activities in those communities.

Local Governance Statement

The Governance Statement is a document that outlines the ways in which the Council communicates, cooperates and consults with the District's residents.

It outlines how Council makes decisions and also promotes local democracy by informing residents about ways that they can be part of the decision-making process.

Download the Governance Statement [PDF 24.48 MB] or request a paper copy by contacting Council.