All seats were taken and the audience overflowed out onto the balcony at a pōhiri to welcome new councillors, held at Ōpōtiki RSA on Tuesday.

The pōhiri was a proud occasion for the new and returning councillors, as thoughtful and powerful speeches in te reo challenged them to hold firm to their ideals as elected representatives around the council table.

The council chambers were likewise packed to the gunnels for the inaugural council meeting and swearing-in ceremony which followed.

After being sworn in for another term, Mayor David Moore noted the excellent turnout and great speeches at the pōhiri.

He quoted the whakatauki proverb, “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini”, meaning “success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many”.

“This isn’t a role just for me, it’s everyone at the tēpu (table), and the whole community.”

He went on to describe the need for whanaungatanga (kinship) around the council table, adding:

“Let’s put our politics aside and do our best for our district.

“It has been a very special day, and I’d like to thank Stace (chief executive Stace Lewer) and the team at council who put so much effort into making the day a great success.

“It is great to see the young people there from Te Kura o Kutarere and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waioweka watching council in action.”

Each member was sworn in and the mayor received his chains of office from the council’s executive assistant and governance lead, Gae Finlay.

Mr Moore appointed his deputy, Maude Maxwell, the councillor from the new Ōpōtiki Māori Ward.

Coast Community Board elected Pāpā Wharewera as its chair and Gaylene Dudek as deputy.

This event marked a proud day for the community, showing that democracy to be in good heart in the district.

The elected representatives and council thanked all those involved in making it a success.