Your Council

Functions, Responsibilities and Activities

The purpose of the Tararua District Council, as set out in Section 10 of the Local Government Act 2002, is to enable democratic local decision making and action by, and on behalf of, communities. Also, to meet the current and future needs of communities for good quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses.

In meeting its purpose, the Tararua District Council exercises powers and fulfils responsibilities conferred on it by legislation. The Council has a variety of roles, including the following:

• facilitating solutions to local needs;
• advocacy on behalf of the local community with central government, other local authoriteis and other agencies;
• development of local resources;
• management of local infrastructure including network infrastructure (eg roads, footpaths, wastewater disposal, water supply, stormwater) and community infrastructure (including libraries parks and reserves, recreational facilities, camping grounds, cemeteries, community buildings, swimming pools);
• environmental and regulatory management;
• planning for the future needs of the local district.

The Council is made up of two key bodies:

Elected members:

• the Council, led by the Mayor, which governs our District, setting direction and policies;
• two community boards and two community commitees - which advocate for their local community interests

Corporate organisation (employees), led by the Chief Executive, responsible for day-to-day running of the District's facilities.