Our governance statement describes how we carry out our local government responsibilities and promote democracy in our community. This document is prepared at the start of each three-year term.
Elected members are entitled to be paid for the work undertaken. This remuneration is generally by way of a base salary.
A remuneration pool is set by the Remuneration Authority.
The pool is more than the minimum amount that can be paid to each Councillor, so the Council recommends to the Remuneration Authority on how to how to allocate the rest of the money between elected members. The Remuneration Authority also directly sets the pay of the mayor.
The Council must allocate all of the pool. Elected members are required to accept the allocated remuneration. Some expenses are also reimbursed.
The remuneration of the Mayor is set at $151,954.
The minimum pay following the 2022 local elections for a Councillor will be: $42,136.
At its meeting on 10 November, the Council resolved to recommend that the Remuneration Authority allocate the pool to reflect the positions of added responsibility the Council has established. The Remuneration Authority has issued a Determination in December 2022 to allocate the pool to Councillors. The Pool will be allocated as follows:
| Position | Remuneration ($) | Date effective from |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Mayor | 70,000 | 11 November 2022 |
| Chair Committee of the Whole (Heamana Tuatahi) | 65,250 | 11 November 2022 |
| Chair Committee of the Whole (Heamana Tuarua) | 65,250 | 11 November 2022 |
| Chair Chief Executive Employment Committee | 58,734 | 11 November 2022 |
| Chair Wastewater Treatment Plant and Landfill Joint Committee | 59,000 | 11 November 2022 |
| Councillor with no additional responsibilities | 55,000 | 15 October 2022 |
| Councillor (minimum allowable remuneration) | 42,136 | 15 October 2022 |
Please see the Local Government Members (2022/23) Amendment Determination (No 3) 2022 for more information.
The Local Government Act 2002 sets out:
We have responsibilities under other Aotearoa New Zealand laws as well, such as the Resource Management Act and Environment Act. We can also make our own Bylaws.
Anita is the Mayor of Porirua City. She was elected in 2019, and reelected in 2022 for a term of three years. Say kia ora when you spot her.
As one of the elected members, the Mayor shares the same responsibilities as other councillors and also:
The Mayor can also:
Councillors are here to represent your views. Have a yarn with them about your ideas for your local area when you see them.
The Mayor appoints the Deputy Mayor at the first Council meeting after the local body election. The Deputy Mayor has the same roles as other councillors, but fulfils the Mayor’s responsibilities if they’re absent or incapacitated, or if the office of Mayor is vacant.
The Council can vote to remove the Deputy Mayor from their role as Deputy Mayor.
A committee chairperson presides over the committee’s meetings and makes sure it acts within the powers the Council has given it.
The Council can vote to remove a committee chairperson from their role as chairperson.
There are legal requirements for how elected council members must act and carry out their duties:
