Local board members make decisions on local issues like playgrounds and sporting facilities and help build strong communities. They also:
- develop and adopt local board plans
- engage with local community
- propose local bylaws and local targeted rates.
Local board members may also take on responsibility for a particular area or portfolio, such as events or parks.
They may be asked to sit on local board committees such as funding committees.
Learn more about Local board roles and responsibilities.
A day in the life of a local board member
In a typical day, a local board member might:
- attend the local board's monthly meeting (See recordings of Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board meetings)
- meet with council employees to discuss plans for a local playground
respond to media queries - attend the monthly meeting of a residents' association
- engage with members of the public at a local library.
On any given day, they might also be:
- reading and preparing for the upcoming week's meetings
- voting in various decision-making meetings and committees
- engaging with the public to hear their views
- attending events like public meetings, school prize giving, citizenship ceremonies or the opening of a new park or cycleway
- representing the council at cultural events like Matariki, Chinese New Year or Diwali
- taking part in community activities like a working bee for a local stream regeneration project.
What to expect
Being an elected member is a serious commitment. As a local board member, the time commitment varies around 12-24 hours a week.
It is a public role and will put you in the spotlight. You will be called upon to speak at meetings and events, and the media may ask for your views on certain topics.
If you are thinking of becoming a candidate, you should consider how you might balance the requirements and responsibilities of the role with the rest of your life.
Who can become a candidate
You don't need any specific qualifications to become a candidate in this by-election.
You need to be:
- a New Zealand citizen
- aged 18 years or older
- enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll.
Check your enrolment or enrol online on the Electoral Commission website.
Skills and qualities that make a successful elected member
Time management
Being an elected member and representing the views of Aucklanders requires a lot of preparation.
You will be expected to read agendas, minutes, plans, reports, submissions, advice, recommendations and various other materials.
You will need to be flexible and able to prioritise and manage your time effectively.
Commitment
You will often work outside of normal working hours, at night and on weekends.
Resilience
You will be in the public eye as a part of your role, and will be called upon to speak publicly at meetings and events, and give comments to media on certain issues.
Communication
You will need to be able to listen to, relate to and empathise with the people you represent, and feed their views into your decision-making.
You should be able to confidently communicate your own views and opinions when speaking publicly and when engaging with the public.
A large portion of the role will involve technology, so you should know how to use email, Skype, and a smartphone, computer or tablet.
Strategic thinking and decision-making
You will need to draw from a range of sources when making decisions - advice from staff, community views and your own experience.
You will need to be able to balance conflicting views, consider the financial and long-term consequences of decisions, and keep an open mind.
You also need to understand how the governing body and local boards work, so you can get an idea of what decisions you may be able to influence.
Relationships
As a part of your role, you will need to build and maintain productive relationships and networks.
You should be willing to respectfully engage with a wide range of people from different cultures and disciplines, including community members and council employees.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi
We are committed to meeting our responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, and our broader statutory obligations to Māori.
Knowledge of tikanga Māori will be helpful in your role as an elected member.
Elected members' code of conduct
For expectations of being an elected member, see the Elected members' code of conduct.
Remuneration
The Remuneration Authority issues a determination for the remuneration of elected members each year on 30 June.
The annual salary rates 2020/2021 for the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board are as follows:
| Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chairperson | $99,000 |
| Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board deputy chairperson | $59,400 |
| Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board member | $49,500 |
For more information, see the Elected members remuneration page.
