Inauguration of elected representatives

What is an inauguration?

Inauguration is the ceremonial occasion where the newly elected ward councillors and mayor of Auckland are sworn into council following the local elections.

It is also the first official meeting of the new term of the Governing Body.

Local board members are inaugurated in separate ceremonies.

What happens at the inauguration

The Local Government Act 2002 sets out the requirements for a first meeting following the local elections. The requirements include that newly elected members make their statutory declaration.

The declaration is a signed formal statement where the members solemnly declare to act in the best interests of the community they are elected to serve.

Elected members cannot make decisions or take on their responsibilities until they have made their declaration.

From the first inaugural meeting of Auckland Council in 2010, the inauguration was split into two separate events:

Ceremonial event

This event is held in the evening in the Great Hall at the Town Hall.

The ceremony includes:

• a formal welcome by mana whenua
• the statutory declarations by all Governing Body members
• the maiden speech by the new mayor
• a musical performance.

The ceremony is organised as a celebration of the new council and an opportunity for newly elected members to celebrate with their supporters, friends and family.

Formal business meeting

This meeting is takes place on a working day the following week.

It includes maiden speeches by the councillors, as well as first business items for the new council, such as the committee structure, and appointment to specific committees and entities.

Inclusion of Māori protocol

Māori protocol is an integral part of the inauguration.  Mana whenua formally welcome new members as elected governors of Tāmaki Makaurau.

At Auckland Council, this includes a:

• formal pōwhiri for all Governing Body and local board elected members, prior to inaugural meetings

• mihi whakatau at each of the inaugural meetings, beginning with a karanga, mihi and waiata.

Who is invited to the inauguration

The inauguration, both ceremonial event and business meeting, is open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend.

The meetings are also recorded and available for livestreaming: 

Watch the Auckland Council inauguration ceremony online.

Watch the inaugural Governing Body meeting online.

Most elected members invite family and friends to the ceremonial part of the meeting. It is a celebration of their election that is shared with their supporters.

Others who are invited to the ceremonial part of the meeting include:

• Independent Māori Statutory Board and council-controlled organisations
• local board members
• advisory panel members
• community and national representatives such as heads of public sector organisations and government ministers.

2022 Governing Body inauguration

Programme for the 2022 Governing Body inauguration

The first Governing Body will be reconvened at 10am on Tuesday 1 November, in the Reception Lounge at the Auckland Town Hall.

2022 local board inaugurations

Inauguration for local board members occurred between the 26 October and 2 November 2022.

How elected members are inducted into council

Elected members go through an extensive induction programme that focuses on:

• good governance and the role of elected members as decision-makers
• the role of staff in providing advice
• an overview of elected members’ legal obligations
• obligations to Māori and the role of the Independent Māori Statutory Board
• Auckland Council’s shared governance model and how it works in practice.