Whakatāne District Council

Whakatāne-Ōhope General Ward
The Whakatāne District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of ten councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). four councillors will be elected from the Whakatāne-Ōhope ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Whakatāne District Council election.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Empower community boards and give responsibilities to enable localism and decision-making at the most local level possible.

    Ensure internal council operations are efficient, nimble and responsive to the community.

    Partner with local communities and build strong relationships to enable good decision-making, especially with iwi, hapū and whānau.

  • Ensure an effective and efficient council size that balances strong community representation with streamlined decision-making.

    Ensure transparent and accountable governance by providing easy and open access to meeting agendas, decisions and voting records.

    Foster meaningful public participation by creating clear pathways for residents to contribute and communicate.

  • Benchmark council expenditure and organisation against best practice standards and make Whakatāne happy.

    Ensure tangata tiriti responsibilities to tangata whenua are upheld by council including support and advocacy for Māori wards.

    Support a review of operations to bring more transparency to roles, functions and the size of council.

  • Empower community boards and give responsibilities to enable localism and decision-making at the most local level possible.

    Ensure internal council operations are efficient, nimble and responsive to the community.

    Partner with local communities and build strong relationships to enable good decision-making, especially with iwi, hapū and whānau.

  • Ensure an effective and efficient council size that balances strong community representation with streamlined decision-making.

    Ensure transparent and accountable governance by providing easy and open access to meeting agendas, decisions and voting records.

    Foster meaningful public participation by creating clear pathways for residents to contribute and communicate.

  • Benchmark council expenditure and organisation against best practice standards and make Whakatāne happy.

    Ensure tangata tiriti responsibilities to tangata whenua are upheld by council including support and advocacy for Māori wards.

    Support a review of operations to bring more transparency to roles, functions and the size of council.