4. Who will be at the hearing

Who attends the hearing depends on the type of hearing.

Notified applications, such as a resource consent or plan changes, are usually heard by independent commissioners.

For a council consultation, it is likely your submission will be heard by elected representatives. This can include:

• local board members
• councillors
• members of Houkura, formerly known as the Independent Māori Statutory Board.

You can find out who is on the hearing panel on the front page of the hearing agenda.

Visit Find a hearing for information about any hearings you are interested in.

Independent commissioners

We appoint decision-makers from a group of independent commissioners who are all government-listed certificate holders.

Email hearingsfeedback@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you need more information about individual members.

What independent commissioners do

Commissioners conduct hearings on various matters, including:

• resource consent applications
• plan changes
• notices of requirement
• bylaws and dispensations
• reserve management plans
• policies where the special consultative procedure is used
• other hearings as determined by the Regulatory and Community Safety Committee.

Commissioners may also be appointed as 'duty' commissioners. We use duty commissioners when a council officer cannot approve an application. They consider and make decisions on:

• resource consent applications (including notification determinations)
• notices of requirement and outline plan of works
• other matters that do not require a hearing.

A duty commissioner might also need to make a decision under the following sections of the Resource Management Act:

• section 125
• section 127
• section 37.