Are you passionate about your community? Or are you looking for an exciting and varied leadership role? Here is a great opportunity to help make a difference to the largest and most culturally diverse city in the country. New Zealand’s largest local council is seeking new talented leaders.
Tāmaki Makaurau is looking for candidates to stand in the local elections to fill 170 elected member positions as mayor, councillors and local board members. Full time and part time roles are available. If you’re considering a part-time local board role to represent your local community, salaries start from $28,000 – and go up to $296,000 if you want to serve as Mayor of Auckland.
Candidates need to be New Zealand citizens, over 18 years old and on the New Zealand Parliamentary Electoral Roll to be elected by Aucklanders.
Nominations open 15 July 2022 and close midday 12 August 2022.
You could support a high-performing team to make significant decisions for Tāmaki Makaurau’s current and future needs for infrastructure, public services, and regulations. Your input will determine how Auckland’s money is spent and you’ll work together to make decisions about how our region will continue to thrive and grow.
About the role
An elected member is responsible for engaging with Aucklanders and representing the community’s interests and views.
Elected members are expected to:
- absorb volumes of information and reading materials ahead of meetings
- vote in a range of decision-making meetings and committees
- represent the council at community and cultural events like Matariki, Chinese New Year, Diwali and the Auckland Pride festival
- attend events, public meetings, school prize givings, citizenship ceremonies, or the opening of a new park or cycleway
- take part in community activities, like a working bee for a local stream regeneration project.
Experiences and skills required
To succeed in this role, experience is not necessary, however strategic thinking and decision-making skills are an advantage. Ideally, you will need to be a good communicator, savvy with relationships and work smartly and collaboratively. This includes working closely with Auckland Council staff.
Elected members are supported by Auckland Council and council-controlled organisations, who provide advice and guidance on a range of matters for the region.
Local board members are expected to be connected to and passionate about their local community to be able to make decisions about things council does or should do at a local level.
Councillors are expected to be able to make decisions on things that effect the whole region and be able to do that in a way that means council can balance its budget. People in these roles also need to be connected to what Aucklanders want council to provide both now and in the future.
The mayor must have a vision for Auckland that they promote and carry through to budgets and plans that the organisation can follow. They need to be a good listener and able to understand a broad range of perspectives so that they can balance the needs and opportunities of the present and the future.
What’s in it for you?
You will advocate for positive change in your local environment and achieve wins for your community. You might be voting for an accessible swing in your local park, or you could be voting for a recycling centre that serves many local communities. If you are a councillor, you might be voting on the level of rates that council needs to levy so that it can be part of tackling climate change.
The roles all provide an introduction to a large network of experts, talented and passionate people. You will make many connections and meet a lot of great Aucklanders and you’ll have a great bunch of experienced elected members alongside you to support you if you are new to the role.
There are ample opportunities for personal development and growth. You’ll get to work in an outstanding environment that values diversity and flexibility.
Who you’ll be working for
Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand’s largest world class city is home to 1.6 million people who you’ll report to. It is a region that has a bold and unique vision for its growth and needs a talented team of elected members to support it.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
Find out more about the application process at voteauckland.co.nz.
Nomination forms will be available from 15 July 2022 and must be received by midday 12 August 2022.
Nominations open Friday 15 July 2022 and close Friday 12 August 2022
