It is important that everyone’s voices are heard when making decisions for Auckland, and the advisory panels make sure elected members know how their communities feel.
The role of advisory panels
Advisory panels advise elected members, staff and council-controlled organisations such as Auckland Transport on specific areas or issues that affect the communities they are a part of.
They offer advice on:
- policies
- strategies
- important issues that affect the city and region.
They do not make any decisions for Auckland, but they do offer advice and influence decisions elected members make.
Types of advisory panels
There are two different types of advisory panels.
Demographic panels
Demographic panels advise on how issues affect their demographic communities. There are six demographic advisory panels.
- Pacific Peoples' Advisory Panel
- Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel
- Disability Advisory Panel
- Youth Advisory Panel
- Rainbow Communities' Advisory Panel
- Seniors' Advisory Panel.
What demographic panels do
Demographic panels provide advice on draft strategies, policies and programmes based on direct experience. Their members tell us how our plans may affect their communities or what we should be thinking about as we plan.
They share knowledge on issues that are important to:
- disabled people
- older Aucklanders
- young people
- Pacific peoples
- ethnic communities
- rainbow communities.
They also provide advice on how to engage effectively with their communities.
Sector panels
Sector panels advise on how issues affect their sectors of Auckland. There are four sector advisory panels.
City Centre Advisory Panel
The City Centre Advisory Board is a key advisory group, supporting the City Centre Masterplan's vision.
Public Art Advisory Panel
Assists the council with planning arts projects and programmes in public places
Rural Advisory Panel
Advises the council on policies and plans specific to the rural sector.
Small Business Advisory Panel
Advises council on issues, policies and plans specific to small business.
Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel – community storytelling
The Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel advises us on issues that are important to ethnic people in Auckland.
Auckland’s population is expected to grow a lot in the coming years, meaning we will have more diverse populations and views on what is best for our region.
The Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel engaged with Auckland’s ethnic communities to share their stories, hopes and dreams for the future of Auckland.
This video contains a collection of these stories, and an example of why the advisory panels are such a valuable part of the Auckland Council.