Stand for the Auckland youlo e - What you need to know TO STAN D FOR COU NCI L - Auckland Council
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Stand for
the Auckland
you lo e
What you need to know
TO STA N D F O R C O U N C I L
BECOME A CANDIDATE
Local Elections
2019
LE A D TH E C IT Y YO U LO V E
Page 4 | Contents Contents | Page 5
Auckland
Council elections
Overview of AT A G L A N C E
O U R A U C KL A N D
PA G E S 8-9
Being an
PA G E S 6-7
E LE CTE D M E M B E R
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111
Thf" Electoral Off1(•r PA G E S 10-13
A1..1ckl,11nd Counc:11 (UH)
The Local board
The G O V E R N I N G B O DY MEMBERS
M AYO R PA G E S 16-23
PA G E S 24-2 9
PA G E S 14-15
Page 6 | Overview of Auckland Council Overview of Auckland Council | Page 7
Political decision-making at
Auckland Council is shared
between the governing body
Overview of and the local boards.
O U R A U C KL A N D Quick facts at a glance
Auckland Council has two decision-making
Mayor
Workload: full time (a signifcant professional and
parts: the governing body and the local boards. personal commitment, involving a substantial
amount of work after hours and on weekends)
Governing body Salary: $279,562
(see page 16 for more detail)
Deputy mayor
The governing body is made up of the mayor
and 20 councillors. There are 13 wards in Workload: full time (40 hours or more a week)
Auckland. Councillors are elected by voters Salary: $157,518
in each ward. The governing body focuses on
the big-picture issues that affect the whole Councillor
Auckland region. The mayor is elected by all Workload: full time (40 hours or more a week)
Auckland voters.
Salary: $109,750
Local boards Local board chair
(see page 24 for more detail)
Workload: full time (40 hours or more a week)
Auckland’s 21 local boards represent their
individual areas. Each local board has between Salary: $55,123 - $98,477
fve and nine members, elected by voters from
Local board member
the area they represent. Local boards have a key
advocacy role in regional decisions and policies. Workload: part time (12-24 hours a week)
They make decisions on local issues, such as Salary: $24,103 - $44,852
playgrounds and sporting facilities, and help
build strong communities. Note: the remuneration fgures above are for the period
1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. Payments for elected
members are set by the Remuneration Authority, an
independent body, and vary according to roles and areas.
The fgures above will change after the elections when
a new remuneration system will be introduced by the
Remuneration Authority.
Page 8 | Auckland Council elections at a glance Auckland Council elections at a glance | Page 9
Important dates It is good to start talking early to people in
your community to fnd out what is important
19 July 2019: nominations open for candidates to them. There are a number of ways you may
16 August 2019: nominations close at midday choose to stand for offce:
20 September 2019: postal voting starts
• as an independent, candidates will be
12 October 2019: voting closes at midday
standing in their own name, without the
Frequently asked questions support of a political party or group
• part of a ‘ticket’
Who can stand for Auckland Council?
New Zealand citizens aged over 18 and enrolled • with the backing of a political party.
on the parliamentary electoral roll can stand. Candidates who stand with the backing of
AT A G L A N C E Do I have what it takes?
The responsibilities for elected members vary
a political party or as part of a ‘ticket’ will
campaign collectively, with common views on
key issues and policies. Campaigning this way
means costs can be shared. And if standing for
according to the role but, at all levels, holding
public offce requires a serious commitment. council isn’t for you but you still want to make
If you’re thinking of standing for offce, it’s a difference, start a conversation with your
worth taking the time now to think about how community to put forward people you think
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$ How do I get people to vote for me?
To~o-r.,..,....._, - Standing for public offce is a career choice. One of the main reasons eligible voters give
With all jobs, it’s important to ensure the skills for not voting is a lack of knowledge about
a candidate brings to the role are a good match the candidates and their views. A successful
to what’s required. An effective elected member campaign ensures local residents know the
will bring a broad range of skills to the role and position you, as a candidate, hold on key issues
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have a keen understanding of the impact of within the community. Campaigning doesn’t
their decision-making responsibilities (see page have to cost a lot of money. Social media
10 for more details). channels like Facebook and Twitter can be run
at little or no cost and give you the chance
to communicate who you are and what you
How do I stand?
stand for. Getting out into the community by
You need to complete a nomination form and door knocking, addressing public meetings
get two people to nominate you. These people and talking to the public in shopping malls or
must be over 18 and enrolled to vote in the area weekend markets is a good way to connect with
you wish to stand in. You also need to provide voters. Interview opportunities on the radio or
a deposit of $200. This may be refunded, in the local newspaper or magazine are another
depending on how many votes you receive. way for you to share your views.
I want to stand, what should I do next? Paid advertising – in newspapers or on
First, go to voteauckland.co.nz and make sure billboards – is another option. There are
you have all the information you need. regulations around campaigning, including
Attend a meeting of your local board or the what can be spent and how and when signage
governing body to see what is involved – go to can be displayed. The Local Electoral Act 2001,
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/meetings for which is available online at legislation.govt.nz,
schedules and agendas. You can watch some of includes full details on what is and isn’t allowed.
the meetings of the governing body online at Auckland Council’s candidate booklet outlines
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/councillive. the relevant legal requirements for candidates.
Page 10 | Being an elected member Being an elected member | Page 11
Being an Auckland Council elected member Communication and engagement
– whether as part of the governing body or
a local board – is an opportunity for you to Elected members need to be able to relate to
govern the largest city in the country and and empathise with a wide range of people from
be part of the largest council in Australasia. many different cultures and disciplines, including
community members and council employees.
There are no special qualifcations required Auckland Council is committed to meeting its
to stand for council. Elected members come responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the
from all backgrounds and walks of life, bringing Treaty of Waitangi, as well as its broader statutory
different skills and experience to the role. obligations to Māori, so some knowledge of
Auckland Council’s elected members are civic tikanga Māori will be helpful when considering
leaders. They make decisions that help shape these obligations.
the development of the Auckland region and Formal consultation and informal community
help build strong local communities. engagement are important parts of Auckland
Being an
In addition to representing the interests of Council’s decision-making. Elected members need
Aucklanders and complying with a code of to be able to listen to people and understand their
conduct, a successful elected member may points of view, then feed these views into council
also have the following skills and qualities. decision-making.
E LE CTE D M E M B E R Decision-making and strategic thinking
Elected members draw on a range of sources when
making decisions – community views, experience
and advice from staff. They are able to balance
conficting opinions while putting aside personal
bias. They understand what Auckland needs and
the connections between local, regional, national
and global perspectives. They consider the fnancial
costs and the potential long-term effects of issues
and opportunities.
Page 12 | Being an elected member Being an elected member | Page 13
Being an
E LE CTE D M E M B E R
“It’s a real sense of achievement when you
can make things happen for your community.
I feel we have made a real diference.”
- Auckland Council local board member
Relationship building and collaboration Public profle
Delivering outstanding service to Aucklanders Being an elected member is a public role and may
is very much a team effort. Elected members put you in the spotlight. You will be called upon
must be able to build and maintain productive to speak publicly at meetings and events, and the
relationships and networks, and be willing media may seek out your views. Training can be
to listen to ideas as well as share them. It is provided to help develop skills in this area.
also necessary to balance conficting opinions
of different individuals, communities and
organisations. Elected members need to be
fair and open-minded, to help deal with any
criticism and questioning from the public.
Page 14 | The mayor The mayor | Page 15
The The mayor
The mayor leads Auckland Council and chairs the
M AYO R governing body (see page 16).
Auckland’s mayor is responsible for:
• promoting a vision for Auckland
• providing leadership to achieve the vision
• leading the development of council plans,
policies and budgets
• ensuring effective engagement between
Auckland Council and the people of Auckland.
The mayor is also responsible for appointing the
deputy mayor, establishing committees of the
governing body and appointing the chairperson
of each of these committees.
The mayoral offce supports the mayor by
providing planning, policy and consultation
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11 \ l' l ' l '\ l·'.'-;S support, and dealing with day-to-day
communication, correspondence, management
of the mayor’s diary and media relations.
Page 16 | The governing body and councillors The governing body and councillors | Page 17
The
G O V E R N I N G B O DY
The most culturally diverse region in New Zealand,
with more than 170 diferent ethnic groups.
About the governing body • adopting policies and plans that shape • complying with the fnancial requirements Candidates are encouraged to familiarise
Auckland and determine what council spends, of the Local Government Act (including themselves with Auckland’s local government
The governing body, which comprises 20
such as the Auckland Plan, Long-term Plan, the Annual Plan, the Long-term Plan and structure and the role of councillors, and should
councillors and the mayor, makes decisions
Annual Plan and Unitary Plan fnancial policies) be aware of important community issues in the
affecting Auckland as a whole.
• hearing submissions from the public on • appointing the chief executive of ward in which they are standing for election.
It focuses on the big picture and on Auckland-
regional plans and policies Auckland Council Attending a meeting of the governing body
wide strategic decisions.
• engaging with mana whenua (Māori with • emergency management and one or more of its committees would be
Its responsibilities include: a good idea. These meetings are also webcast
Auckland tribal affliations) and mataawaka • monitoring and reviewing the performance
• controlling the council’s regulatory activities, (Māori who live in Auckland and are not live on councillive.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
of council
such as the Auckland Unitary Plan, consenting within a mana whenua group) To fnd out more, go to
and bylaws • governance of council-controlled organisations,
• negotiating agreements with local boards voteauckland.co.nz.
including appointing directors, setting direction
• allocating non-regulatory decision-making
• considering the views of local boards and monitoring performance.
powers to local boards or the governing body
before making a decision that affects the
communities in the local board area or the
responsibilities of the local board
Page 18 | The governing body and councillors The governing body and councillors | Page 19
The
G O V E R N I N G B O DY
Governing body structure and roles Candidates stand for election in a ward,
and each ward elects one or two councillors,
Auckland has 13 wards:
depending on population size. Although
• Albany councillors are elected in a ward and need to
• Albert-Eden-Roskill understand the communities and issues in their
wards, their primary responsibility is to take
• Franklin
an Auckland-wide view and make decisions
• Howick affecting Auckland as a whole.
• Manukau Councillors will remain in touch with their
• Manurewa-Papakura ward by attending local events and meetings,
including local board meetings. They may
• Maungakiekie-Tāmaki
be lobbied to vote on regional issues in the
• North Shore interests of the ward and must balance the
• Orākei obligation to represent the ward with their
responsibility to act in the best interests of
• Rodney
the whole region.
• Waitākere
• Waitematā and Gulf
• Whau.
Note: ward names correct at the time of going
to press but subject to change following the
outcome of the current representation review.Page 20 | The governing body and councillors The governing body and councillors | Page 21
Lo e
The Auckland
G O V E R N I N G B O DY
Support Technology Training How much time is involved?
Each councillor has a council support advisor Each councillor has their own offce and is Comprehensive training is provided at induction Being a councillor is considered a full-time job.
assigned to help with calendar management, provided with equipment that is linked to the and you will need to set aside time for The full governing body has regular monthly
constituent enquiries and other council council network. Training is provided. this so that you understand your governance meetings, plus other meetings as required.
business. In addition, councillors have access to Elected members’ technology requirements are role. This will require your attendance Councillors may also be members of committees
support and specialist advice from employees regularly reviewed and the technology updated. at a full day session on 24 October 2019. and forums, which usually meet monthly.
throughout the council organisation. Ongoing professional development In the current council term, a councillor who
opportunities are provided throughout the is a member of half of the committees of the
term. You can also attend seminars with governing body would have a monthly governing
national and international leaders and experts body meeting schedule of:
in local government.
• one meeting of the governing body
• four meetings of committees of the whole
• eight meetings of other committees
or forums.Page 22 | The governing body and councillors The governing body and councillors | Page 23
Lo e
The Auckland
G O V E R N I N G B O DY
There are times when a greater-than-normal Councillors also engage with the public,
commitment is required, such as hearings for including attending events and public
plans and bylaws, where you will need to spend meetings, and liaising with residents and
full days to hear submissions. community groups.
Councillors are sometimes also expected to Councillors work alongside the chairperson
attend hearings conducted by local boards in and members of local boards in their ward to
their ward areas. address issues raised by their constituents.
In addition, councillors will have to attend The role involves a mix of day time and evening
meetings and workshops with local boards, work, as well as weekend commitments.
council employees and external parties as
required for individual projects. They will devote
time to reading plans, reports and agendas,
and other preparation.Page 24 | Local board members Local board members | Page 25
“It’s exciting and challenging.
Local board We are involved in pretty much
everything – parks, events, facilities,
MEMBERS and policy and planning issues.”
- Auckland Council local board member
About local boards • develop annual local board agreements,
which are agreements with the governing
Auckland’s 21 local boards have a signifcant and
body on local funding and service levels for
wide-ranging role. Local boards make decisions
each fnancial year
on local matters, provide local leadership and
contribute to building strong local communities. • engage with their communities and express
Local boards are fully accountable for the views and preferences on region-wide
decisions they make at local level. strategies, plans and bylaws to the governing
body on their behalf
Local boards:
• develop relationships with key stakeholders
• help make local government accessible
including community organisations, sports
to Aucklanders
and recreation organisations and special
• make governance decisions on local activities, interest groups
issues and services
• propose local bylaws and local targeted rates
• develop and adopt local board plans every
• work with council-controlled organisations on
three years, to refect the aspirations and
services they provide in the local board area.
priorities of local communities
No special knowledge is needed to be a local
• prioritise expenditure in local board
board member. However, candidates should be
budgets and monitor delivery of projects
aware of the communities and issues in their
and spending against budget
local board area and are encouraged to attend
• work with mana whenua (Māori with tribal at least one local board meeting to become
affliations in the local board’s area) and familiar with how boards work before considering
mataawaka (Māori who live in Auckland and standing for offce.
are not within a mana whenua group)
To fnd out how to stand for your local board in
the 2019 elections, visit voteauckland.co.nz.Page 26 | Local board members Local board members | Page 27
Local board
MEMBERS
Local board structure and roles Support • a relationship manager, who leads the team
and provides strategic advice to ensure
Local boards have access to a local offce
Chairperson Other roles local boards operate effectively in their
and are supported by a dedicated local board
Each local board elects one of its members Each local board also elects a deputy governance role.
services team that generally includes:
to be chairperson. chairperson. The chair and deputy chairperson Local boards also have access to support and
• a PA/liaison, who is the frst point of contact
make up the leadership team for the local specialist advice from council employees on
The role of local board chair requires a lot of for the local board and community
board, with the deputy chairperson acting as specifc matters, and access to a dedicated
extra work. It is typically a full-time position
chair in the absence of, or as agreed with, • a democracy advisor, who prepares agendas communications team.
involving civic leadership, and is the most
the chairperson. and minutes of meetings
high-profle role in the local board.
Other local board members may also take on • a local board engagement advisor, who works
The chairperson oversees the local board’s
responsibility for leading a particular project across two or three local boards to support
activities and takes on additional tasks, such as
and representing the local board at community local board community engagement
fronting media enquiries and representing the
meetings and events. • local board advisors, who help the local board
local board at a regional level.
get policy and technical advice
The chairperson is also responsible for
leading and maintaining conduct at local
board meetings.Page 28 | Local board members Local board members | Page 29
Local board
MEMBERS
4000 local parks and reserves, coastal areas,
playgrounds, beaches and 224 sports felds maintained.
Technology How much time is involved? The workload of a local board member • public hearings and related deliberation, held
typically includes: yearly as part of the Annual Plan process and as
A great deal of information provided to local Hours can vary greatly depending on the level
• monthly or twice-monthly business meetings required for other consultation
board members is via electronic means, and of commitment to the job. A local board chair
increasingly this is how the community will can work 40 hours per week, while a local board with all members. (A local board member • approximately fve to 15 hours of preparation
contact you. Elected members’ technology member may work 12 to 24 hours per week. The cannot miss more than four business meetings per week, including reading emails, plans,
requirements are regularly reviewed and the role involves a mix of day time and night time in succession without accepted apologies) reports and agendas
technology updated. commitments. Annual business such as plan • weekly local board workshop meetings with all • engaging with the public, including attending
Local board members are provided with development and hearings mean the job may members (usually held during the day) events and public meetings, and liaising with
equipment that is linked to the council be busier at certain times of the year. residents and community groups
• two to six workshops per month, usually during
network, and training is provided. the day, where members from several local • monthly professional development sessions.
Ongoing professional development boards discuss common issues
opportunities are provided throughout the • meetings with council employees or external
term. There will also be the opportunity to parties as required for work on individual
attend seminars with national and international projects or issues
leaders and experts in local government.V OTE A U C K L A N D.C O.N Z
Auckland Council: voteauckland.co.nz Local Government New Zealand: lgnz.co.nz Electoral Offcer: Dale Ofsoske, Election Services Phone: 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822 © 2019 Auckland Council March 2019 ISBN 978-1-98-858980-0 (Print) ISBN 978-1-98-858981-7 (PDF) Stand for the Auckland you love; what you need to know to stand for council.
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