The Governing Body focuses on Auckland-wide, strategic decisions, making the most of the council’s size and ability to deliver across Auckland.
The Governing Body is responsible for:
- setting rates and bylaws
- borrowing money or buying or selling outside planned long-term plan (LTP) spend
- preparing and adopting the 10-year budget, annual budget (annual plan) and annual report
- selecting a chief executive for Auckland Council
- approving any policies that the Local Government Act 2002 requires the council to consult on as part of the long-term plan or policies that are needed for the local governance statement
- approving a remuneration (salary) and employment policy for council staff.
The Governing Body is also in charge of:
- making decisions about Auckland’s City and Regional Deal and keeping track of how it is carried out
- deciding which non-regulatory activities are managed by the Governing Body and which are handled by local boards
- approving a draft bylaw before it goes out to consultation
- decisions the council must make under the Local Electoral Act 2001, including selecting the electoral officer
- approving or making changes to the committee terms of reference, standing orders and code of conduct
- making decisions and overseeing issues relating to co-governance arrangements and groups, including Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara, Tūpuna Maunga Authority and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board
- managing the council's relationship with Hokura - Independent Māori Statutory Board, including how we handle funding and appoint people to committees
- making sure that climate change and its financial, social, environmental and cultural impacts on the Auckland Council Group are included in governance and considered when making decisions
- supervising the work of all Governing Body committees.
