Greater Wellington — Members' roles and conduct

Councillors have specific obligations as to their conduct in the following legislation:

Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, which includes obligations to act as a good employer in respect of the Chief Executive and to abide by the current Code of Conduct and Standing Orders.
The Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968, which regulates the conduct of elected members in situations where there is, or could be, a conflict of interest between their duties as an elected member and their financial interests (either direct or indirect).
The Secret Commissions Act 1910, which prohibits elected members from accepting or presenting gifts or rewards that could be seen to sway them to perform their duties in a particular way.
The Crimes Act 1961 regarding the acceptance of gifts for acting in a certain way and the use of official information for private profit.

Role of a councillor

Councillors, acting together as the Wellington Regional Council ('the Council'), are responsible for:

The development and adoption of council policy
Monitoring the performance of the Council against its stated objectives and policies
Prudent stewardship of the Council's resources
Employment of the Chief Executive
Representing your interests as a resident and/or ratepayer of the Wellington region.

In general, the Council can only act by majority decisions at meetings. Each councillor (including the Chair) has one vote and the Chair generally has the casting vote. No individual councillor has authority to act on behalf of Greater Wellington Regional Council unless the Council has expressly delegated such authority.

As individuals, councillors are responsible for:

Making themselves familiar with the Council's Code of Conduct and Standing Orders
Making themselves as knowledgeable as possible about the activities and processes of Greater Wellington Regional Council, and the physical and social environment in which it operates
Ensuring that on a regular and timely basis the community and other stakeholders are fully and honestly informed of all material matters relating to Greater Wellington Regional Council's business
Preparing for and attending meetings
Making themselves available to attend external meetings and forums on behalf of Greater Wellington Regional Council

Role of the Council Chair and Deputy Chair

Council Chair

The Chair is elected by councillors at the first Council meeting following the triennial election. As one of the elected councillors the Chair shares the same responsibilities as other councillors. In addition to this the Chair is:

the presiding councillor at Council meetings. The Chair is responsible for ensuring the orderly conduct of business during meetings (as determined in the Standing Orders, and may exercise a casting vote when votes are evenly split on an issue before Council.
an advocate on behalf of the community. This role may involve promoting the community and representing its interests. Such advocacy will be most effective where it is carried out with the knowledge and support of the Council.
the ceremonial head of the Council
responsible for providing leadership and feedback to other councillors on teamwork and chairing of committees
a justice of the peace (while the Chair holds office).

The Chair is obliged to follow the same rules as other councillors with respect to making public statements and committing the Council to a particular course of action, unless acting in accordance with the rules for media contact on behalf of the Council under a delegation of authority from the Council. The Chair may be removed from office by resolution of Council.

Deputy Chair

Like the Chair, the Deputy Chair must be elected by councillors at the first meeting following a triennial election. The Deputy Chair exercises the same roles as other councillors, and if the Chair is absent or incapacitated, the Deputy Chair must perform all of the responsibilities and duties, and may exercise the powers, of the Chair (as summarised above). The Deputy Chair may be removed from office by resolution of Council.

Role of Committee Chairpersons

A committee chairperson presides over all meetings of the committee, ensuring that the committee acts within the powers delegated by the Council, as set out in the Terms of Reference for Council Committees (which describe the membership, objectives and responsibilities of each committee). The terms of reference for most committees provide that the committee chairperson has the power to exercise a casting vote. Committee chairpersons may be called on to act as official spokespersons on particular issues. They may be removed from office by resolution of Council.

Code of Conduct

All councillors are required to adhere to a code of conduct. Adopting such a code is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002. Once adopted, such a code may only be amended by a 75 per cent or more vote of the Council.

The code sets out the Council’s understanding and expectations of how the Council Chair and councillors will relate to one another, to staff, to the media and to the general public in the course of their duties. It also covers disclosure of information that is received by or is in the possession of elected members, and contains details of the sanctions, if any, that the Council may impose if an individual breaches the code.

Code of Conduct for Councillors

Adopted by Council on 25 February 2021 Read more here

Published 12 Aug 2021

Download now (PDF 1.2 MB)

Policies for Elected Members

Elected members are entitled to receive allowances and reimbursement of some costs relating to their role as a councillor. Council has approved two policies to govern this framework.

Policy on Elected Members' Allowances and Expenses - 11 June 2024

Approved Sensitive Expenditure (Elected Members) Policy (Effective 18 May 2023)

Get in touch

Phone:: 0800496734
Email:: info@gw.govt.nz