We make time at the start of every meeting for people to speak to the Council or Committee. Hearing from our community helps the Council so don’t be whakamā (shy).
There are different ways for you to be involved in meetings.
At full council you can speak about any item you wish. At committee meetings, the topic you wish to speak on must fall within that Committee's area of responsibility.
You need to arrange this at least one day before the meeting by emailing democraticservices@poriruacity.govt.nz to ask to speak, or call us on (04) 237 5089.
You can read more about speaking at meetings in our guide to public forum.
You are welcome to speak to the meeting remotely via Zoom. If you wish to participate via Zoom, please let Democratic Services know as soon as possible. We must receive your request to participate remotely by 12 noon, the day before the meeting.
You will receive an invite to join a Zoom meeting. Zoom can be used without an account or downloading the app when used in an internet browser.
If you have a presentation, please supply this to Democratic Services by 3 pm the day before the meeting. Democratic Services will share the presentation, and you can let them know when to proceed to the next slide.
After your public forum participation time is over, you can continue to watch the meeting on Youtube. We livestream most Council and committee meetings including public participation. Recordings are available to view on the Porirua City Youtube Page.
Council and Committee meetings are held in the Wharekōrero Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, Administration Building, 16 Cobham Court, Porirua.
When the council or a committee passes a resolution to go into a session that excludes the public, you must leave the meeting. However, you can make an Official Information Request to the chief executive for minutes or papers from the meeting. The information will be provided unless there is a good reason not to do so.
We’ll let the public know where and when scheduled meetings will be held on our meetings calendar by advertising in local newspapers, and in the Events section of our Council Facebook Page. You can also see the meeting agenda and reports.
If needed, extraordinary meetings may be called. These meetings are advertised as soon as possible. The text of any decision made at an extraordinary meeting is advertised in a local newspaper following the meeting, unless it’s made in a public excluded session.
You can also ask to go on our Meeting Alerts system to receive an email informing you when the next meeting is being held with links to the meeting documents. Just email meetings@pcc.govt.nz with your name and email address. We won't use your details for any other purpose.
The council agenda is a public document (except for parts withheld for privacy or public safety reasons). Minutes of meetings are kept and made available to the public.
The Mayor or committee chairperson can order any member of the public to be removed for disorderly conduct.
We hold regular workshops for elected members to learn about and discuss issues in a less structured environment than a formal meeting. No decisions are made at workshops, and the public aren’t notified or given access to the agendas or notes from these workshops.
