What sort of person should stand?

Key Qualities and Skills

• Effective Communication: Strong communication, collaboration, and engagement skills are essential.
• Open-Mindedness: Be open to new information and learning, including financial concepts, to make sound decisions.
• Community Engagement: Commit to ensuring all voices are heard and work to build a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of The Treaty of Waitangi.

If you have coached a team, organised a community event or fundraiser, started a business, served on the marae, church, or school committee, volunteered, organised a movement, or even debated local issues with your neighbour because you care – then you could be the person we need.

What to Expect

Being an elected member at any level is a serious commitment. Your responsibilities and hours will vary depending on the office you represent and serve. It is a public role that will put you in the spotlight. You will be called upon to speak at meetings and events, and the media may ask for your views on certain topics.

Consider how you might balance the requirements and responsibilities of the role with other commitments in your life. Elected Members come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of skills and experiences to the role. Ultimately, it's up to the voters, but candidates with cool heads, kind hearts, and great ideas (and a willingness to listen to even better ones) are always welcome.

Commitment

• Time Management: You will often work outside of normal working hours, in the evenings and on weekends. Time management skills are essential as representing the views of our community requires a lot of preparation.
• Flexibility: Be flexible and able to prioritise and manage your time effectively.

Leadership, Communication, and Relationship Management

As an Elected Member, you will provide direction and make things happen to achieve the Council’s vision and outcomes, focusing on strategic priorities. Building productive, collaborative, and supportive relationships is essential to creating and delivering the Council’s vision. Being a clear and confident communicator is crucial, as you will represent and promote the Council in a genuine and unified manner, avoiding risks to its reputation, including with the media.

You will often be in the public eye, speaking at meetings and events, and may be asked to provide comments to the media on various issues. Listening to, relating to, and empathising with the people you represent is vital, as their views should be considered in your decisions. Clear communication of your views and opinions when engaging with the public is essential. You will also represent and promote the Council in a unified and dignified manner, avoiding risks to its reputation.

A large part of the role involves technology, so you should be comfortable using email, Zoom, a smartphone, and a computer or tablet.

Strategic Thinking and Quality Decision-Making

As an Elected Member, you will need to understand local priorities and how they relate to national and international developments and strategies. It is crucial to grasp the national and local political environment and the respective roles of governance and management. You must be able to get to the bottom of issues, assess the pros and cons of different options, and make decisions based on advice, community views, wisdom, experience, and informed judgement. Financial prudence and an eye for risk are essential.

You need to make good decisions based on a range of sources. For example, you will receive advice from Council staff, listen to the views of your community, and consider your wisdom, experience, and informed judgement. Balancing conflicting views, considering the financial and long-term consequences of decisions, and keeping an open mind are all vital.

Understanding the District's priorities and how they relate to national and international developments is important. Additionally, knowing how relationships between Council and Community Boards work will help you understand what decisions you may be able to influence.

Understanding Complex, Technical Information

As an Elected Member, you will need to understand complex and technical information. This includes the ability to unpack large volumes of information and use it to guide decision-making. It is essential to understand the role of the Council, including its financial language, budgets, and processes. Additionally, you must understand and comply with relevant legislation.

Be Culturally Aware

As an Elected Member, it is crucial to be culturally aware and capable of understanding and empathising with all cultures and aspirations. This includes working to understand the impact of decisions on diverse communities and cultures. Familiarising yourself with tikanga Māori, partnering with Māori, and honouring the Council’s responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi is essential. All elected members must honour the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi. You must support the mahi (work) to provide greater opportunities for partnership with Māori and provide relevant information to Māori for the purposes of partnership.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document and one source of our constitution. It is an enduring and living document that lays the foundations and obligations for an ongoing and sustainable partnership between Māori and the Crown. Various courts have recognised the principles of Te Tiriti as including rangatiratanga (chieftainship), reciprocity, partnership, active protection, mutual benefit, the right of development, and redress.

Integrity and trust

The community you represent will look to you to take ownership and responsibility for your actions. You should not misrepresent yourself or others for personal gain.