About inauguration
Inauguration is a 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.
There are separate inauguration ceremonies for local board members.
What happens at inauguration
Under the Local Government Act 2002, newly elected members must make a formal declaration at the first council meeting after the local elections.
This declaration is a signed statement where members promise to act in the best interests of the community they were elected to represent.
Elected members cannot take on their responsibilities or make any official decisions until they have made this declaration.
Since 2010, Auckland Council has held the inauguration as a separate event from the first official council meeting.
Inauguration ceremony
The Governing Body inauguration ceremony is held in the evening in the Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall.
The ceremony includes:
- a formal pōhiri welcome ceremony by tangata whenua (people of the land)
- statutory declarations by all Governing Body members
- the first speech by the new mayor
- a musical performance.
The ceremony celebrates the new council and gives newly elected members a chance to share the occasion with their supporters, friends and family.
Tikanga / protocols
As the elected governors of Tāmaki Makaurau, tangata whenua formally welcome the new members through a pōhiri ceremony which includes:
- karanga (call of welcome)
- hīmene (hymn)
- karakia (prayer or blessing)
- mihi (greeting speech) by tangata whenua
- waiata tautoko (song)
- whakautu (reply speech) by supporting iwi
- waiata tautoko (song)
- tangata whenua to close off ceremony
- harirū (hongi or shake hands).
Formal business meeting
The formal business meeting takes place on a working day, the week after the ceremonial inauguration.
It includes the councillors’ debut speeches and the new council’s first items of business, such as the committee structure and appointments to specific committees and bodies.
Inauguration guests
Both the ceremonial event and business meetings are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend.
Most elected members invite their family and friends to the ceremony. It is a celebration of their election, shared with the people who support them.
Others invited to the ceremonial part include:
- Houkura and council-controlled organisations
- local board members
- advisory panel members
- community and national representatives, such as heads of public sector organisations and government ministers.