Why we need committees
As a council we have to make important decisions about a broad range of services over a large geographical area.
A committee meeting is one of the most effective ways to ensure these decisions are made:
- publicly
- fairly
- on the basis of good advice.
Auckland Council committees
Our committee meetings are:
- made up of councillors, and in certain cases, representatives of the Houkura, formerly known as the Independent Māori Statutory Board
- chaired by the mayor or a councillor
- run in accordance with standard procedures
- accessible to the public.
Some committee meetings are confidential, such as those involving commercially sensitive issues.
About the Governing Body
The Governing Body is a decision-making group chaired by the mayor and made up of 20 elected ward councillors.
It is required by law to make certain decisions, such as determining property rates.
To enable efficient decision-making, the Governing Body delegates powers to committees.
These committees are known as 'committees of the Governing Body.'
Read more about the
Governing Body.
Types of committees
Our committees are arranged into broad subject areas to make the topic more manageable.
The Governing Body decides on each committees' responsibilities at the beginning of the electoral term.
Committees of the whole
The largest committees are known as 'committees of the whole'.
They cover the following range of activities:
- Planning, Environment and Parks Committee.
- Transport and Infrastructure Committee.
Committees of the whole are sometimes known as 'parent committees', because smaller committees may report to them.
Read more about
committees of the whole.
Reporting, sub-committees and other committees
We also have smaller committees (or sub-committees) that meet to cover other more specific topics, such as:
- regulatory matters
- civil defence
- procurement
- value for money.
Reporting committees do not have a parent committee and usually report to the Governing Body.
These committees may have delegations to aid in the decision-making process.
Read more about
the reporting and other committees.
Audit and Risk Committee
This committee advises the Governing Body on issues of governance and risk management. It is independently chaired by someone outside of the Governing Body.
We are required by law to ensure this meeting is managed separately to avoid conflicts of interest.
Read more about
the Audit and Risk Committee.
Houkura (Independent Māori Statutory Board)
Houkura appoints one or two representatives to each Governing Body committee that manages:
- natural or physical resources
- other committees at the invitation of the Governing Body.
Read more about Houkura.
Powers of committees
The Governing Body Terms of Reference set out which powers can be delegated to committees and which are retained by the Governing Body.
