About local boards

Local boards provide governance at the local level within Auckland Council. They enable democratic decision-making on behalf of communities within each local board area.

There are 21 local boards with between five and nine members elected to each board. Auckland has a total of 151 local board members.

Local boards:

• make decisions about local issues, activities and services
• contribute to regional strategies, policies, plans and decisions.

Responsibilities of local boards

Local boards:

• adopt local board plans. These set the strategic direction for the local board area every three years in consultation with their communities
• work with the Governing Body to set local board agreements and annual budgets
• agree and oversee annual work programmes.

They also:

• provide local leadership and develop relationships with the community, community organisations and special interest groups in the local area
• make decisions on local matters, including events, parks, community programmes and local fees and charges
• oversee facilities in the local board area
• identify and develop bylaws for their local board area and propose them to the Governing Body
• identify and communicate the views of local people on regional strategies, policies, plans and bylaws to the Governing Body
• advise the Governing Body about any regional decisions that affect the local board area
• make decisions on any additional responsibilities delegated by the Governing Body, such as decisions for regional bylaws
• contribute to plans and initiatives for council-controlled organisations (CCOs).

Local board plans, agreements and programmes

Local boards make most decisions and set their budgets through plans, agreements and programmes.

Local board plans

Local board plans are strategic, three-year plans that are developed in consultation with the community.

Visit All local boards to find your local board's current plans.

Local board agreements

Local board agreements set out what the council will deliver in the next financial year. They are agreements between local boards and the Governing Body and are included in Auckland's annual and long-term plans and budgets.

Local board work programmes

Local boards approve:

• annual operational and capital work programmes
• activities for which they have decision-making responsibilities.

Work programmes are guided by local board plans and contain specific initiatives and projects in more detail than local board agreements.

These programmes play a critical role in meeting the needs of Auckland's local communities.

Meeting rules and procedures

Standing orders outline the rules and procedures for local board meetings. Each board has its own standing orders.

Visit Speak at a local board meeting to find out:

• how you can speak at a local board meeting
• about 'standing orders' for each local board
• the standing orders for each local board.