Information about Gisborne District Council's committees, including their purpose, membership and responsibilities.
Council and committee meetings are generally held on a 6-weekly cycle.
For meeting dates, agendas, reports, minutes and recordings, view the Meetings Calendar
Council
Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: Mayor and Councillors
Quorum: Half of the members if the number is even; majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: 6 weekly, or as required
Terms of reference
Council is responsible for all powers and functions that have not been delegated to committees, subcommittees, officers, or other decision-making bodies, including powers that cannot legally be delegated:
- The power to make a rate.
- The power to make a bylaw.
- The power to borrow money, or purchase or dispose of assets, other than in accordance with the Long Term Plan.
- The power to adopt a Long Term Plan, Annual Plan, or Annual Report.
- The power to appoint a Chief Executive.
- The power to adopt policies required to be adopted and consulted on under the Local Government Act 2002 in association with the Long Term Plan or developed for the purpose of the Local Governance Statement.
- The power to adopt a remuneration and employment policy.
- The power to approve or amend the Council’s Standing Orders.
- The power to approve or amend the Code of Conduct for elected members.
- The power to appoint and discharge members of committees.
- The power to establish a joint committee with another local authority or other public body.
- The power to make the final decision on a recommendation from the Ombudsman where it is proposed that Council not accept the recommendation.
- The power to make any resolutions that must be made by a local authority under the Local Electoral Act 2001, including the appointment of an electoral officer.
- Consider any matters referred to it from any of the Committees.
- Authorise all expenditure not delegated to staff or other Committees.
Council’s terms of reference also includes oversight of the organisation’s compliance with health and safety obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Committees of the whole
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: Mayor and Councillors
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: Every 6 weeks, or as required.
Purpose
To develop, approve, review and recommend to Council (where applicable) policies, plans, bylaws, strategies and decisions that:
- Provide a vision and pathway for the future of the district.
- Support the sustainable management of regional resources.
- Identify and promote community aspirations.
- Define and deliver Council's roles and responsibilities.
- Integrate an all-of-wellbeing approach to strategic planning and policy development.
- Ensure effective statutory plans and bylaws that protect community and environmental wellbeing.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: Mayor and all Councillors
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: Every 6 weeks, or as required.
Purpose
To oversee Council's financial and non-financial performance, including delivery of the Capital Programme and oversight of the Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO).
The Committee monitors Council activities and services against budgets, Annual Plans, the Long Term Plan, Annual Reports and corporate and financial policies. It also receives enforcement and compliance reporting to support oversight of Council's regulatory functions.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Cr Debbie Gregory
Membership: Mayor and all Councillors
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: Every 6 weeks, or as required.
Purpose
To provide governance oversight of Council services, programmes, and regulatory functions that support environmental protection, land and catchment management, biodiversity, flood resilience, community wellbeing, and cultural and recreational assets across Tairāwhiti.
The Committee also oversees Council's regulatory compliance and the effective delivery of statutory responsibilities.
Scope
Environment Services and Protection
- Animal control
- Building services
- Enforcement
- Environmental health
Land Management
- Pest and plant management
- Biodiversity
- Integrated catchment management
Flood Resilience
Harbourmaster
Community Development
- Cultural assets and activities, including theatres, museums, public art, libraries and Tairāwhiti Navigations.
- Recreation and community amenities, including open spaces, parks and gardens, cemeteries, community property and Kiwa Pool complex.
- Planning and Development
- Customer Engagement
- Support Services
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: Mayor and all Councillors
Meeting frequency: As required
Purpose
To oversee the recruitment, selection and appointment of directors, trustees and Council representatives to Council organisations, in accordance with the Board Appointments and Remuneration Policy 2022 (as amended from time to time).
Standing committees
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Independent Chairperson, Bruce Robertson
Deputy Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Membership: Cr Colin Alder, Cr Larry Foster, Cr Debbie Gregory, Cr Jeremy Muir, Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria, Cr Rob Telfer, Cr Rhonda Tibble
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: Quarterly, or as required.
Purpose
To assist Council in overseeing:
- Internal controls and governance processes.
- Financial and non-financial reporting and accountability.
- Risk management systems and practices.
- Internal and external audit activities.
- Accounting practices and policies.
- Health, safety and wellbeing.
- Compliance with relevant laws, regulations, standards, and best-practice guidelines.
- Controls that safeguard Council's financial and non-financial assets.
The Committee Chair provides an annual report to Council on the Committee's activities and performance.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Co-Chairs: Cr Larry Foster and Ronald Nepe
Membership: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria, Cr Rhonda Tibble, Cr Nick Tupara, Pene Brown, Angus Ngarangione and LeRoy Pardoe
Quorum: 4 members, including 2 Councillors and 2 tangata whenua representatives.
Meeting frequency: Twice yearly.
Purpose
To fulfil the requirements of the wastewater discharge and overflow consents through governance oversight of wastewater performance, monitoring, compliance, environmental effects, and cultural considerations.
The Committee supports improvements to the mauri and water quality of Tūranganui-a-Kiwa through monitoring, review, and recommendations made under these consents.
The Committee operates alongside the Interim Water Services Committee and focuses specifically on matters relating to wastewater discharge and overflow consents.
Scope
- Wastewater treatment plant performance
- Wastewater discharge monitoring and compliance
- Dry weather and wet weather overflow performance
- environmental and cultural effects associated with wastewater
- monitoring and investigation programmes
- consent reporting requirements
- engagement with technical and cultural advisory groups, including IRP, WTAG, and TWRG.
Matters outside the Committee's consent-related scope may be referred to the Interim Water Services Committee.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Independent Chair, Nigel Toms
Deputy Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Membership: Cr Larry Foster, Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria, Cr Daniel Thompson, Cr Rhonda Tibble, Cr Nick Tupara, 4 iwi members and 2 independent members
Meeting frequency: As required.
Purpose
To provide strategic and operational oversight of Council's water services, including drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater.
The Committee monitors service delivery, performance, regulatory compliance, and environmental outcomes to ensure water services meet statutory requirements, financial objectives, and community expectations.
The Committee also oversees implementation of the Water Services Delivery Plan, including transition activities, investment planning, compliance frameworks, and asset management improvements.
The Committee operates alongside the Wastewater Management Committee, which retains responsibility for matters required under wastewater resource consents.
Scope
The Committee's scope includes:
- Drinking water services
- Wastewater services (excluding functions delegated to the Wastewater Management Committee)
- Stormwater services.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope and delegations, see the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: The Committee Chair whose portfolio aligns with the urgent matter, or another Councillor nominated by the Chairperson.
Quorum: Two members.
Meeting frequency: As required.
Purpose
To determine matters within Council's authority where urgency prevents a full Council meeting from being convened, or where emergency legislation applies.
Role
To exercise Council functions that cannot be undertaken through normal Council processes during a pandemic, natural disaster, state of emergenc, or similar event, except where those functions:
- Have been delegated to staff.
- Cannot legally be delegated under the Local Government Act 2002 or other legislation.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: Cr Larry Foster, Cr Rawinia Parata, Cr Rob Telfer
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: Biannually
Purpose
To oversee the performance and employment relationship of the Chief Executive on behalf of Council.
The Committee monitors performance against the Chief Executive's performance agreement, undertakes performance and remuneration reviews, and reports its findings and recommendations to Council.
The Committee may seek independent external advice as required and oversees Chief Executive succession planning, recruitment, and appointment processes.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Cr Jeremy Muir
Membership: Cr Alexandra Boros, Cr Larry Foster, Cr Debbie Gregory, Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria, Cr Nick Tupara
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: As required
Purpose
To conduct statutory hearings and make decisions or recommendations on matters where Council is required by legislation to hear submissions, objections, or applications.
The Committee operates in accordance with the principles of natural justice and administrative law and considers matters delegated to it by Council.
Scope
The Committee's responsibilities include:
- Hearing submissions on proposed bylaws and bylaw amendments.
- Hearing objections or submissions under the Reserves Act 1977 and making recommendations to Council.
- Hearing and determining objections under the Dog Control Act 1996.
- Hearing submissions relating to Local Alcohol Policies.
- Hearing and determining matters arising under Council bylaws.
- Hearing matters under legislation including the Gambling Act 2003, Building Act 2004, Biosecurity Act 1993, Health Act 1956, Land Transport Act 1998, Waste Minimisation Act 2008, and Maritime Transport Act 1994.
- Hearing and determining applications for temporary road closures under the Local Government Act 1974.
The Committee does not consider matters arising under the Resource Management Act 1991 or Council's strategic, policy, Long Term Plan or other significant matters.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Independent Chairperson
Membership: Mayor Rehette Stoltz and independent members as required
Meeting frequency: As required
Purpose
To conduct investigations and make recommendations regarding Councillors' compliance with the Council's Code of Conduct.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Cr Colin Alder
Membership: Cr Alexandra Boros, Cr Larry Foster, Cr Anne Huriwai, Cr Jeremy Muir, Cr Rawinia Parata, Cr Rob Telfer, Cr Daniel Thompson, Cr Samuel Gibson
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: As required
Purpose
To oversee the delivery, performance, and continuous improvement of local transport services and infrastructure, including:
- Roading
- Walking and cycling infrastructure
- Public transport and travel demand
- Local safety and transport innovation
Scope
The Committee oversees the planning, delivery, maintenance and funding of the local transport network and associated infrastructure and makes decisions on traffic and parking matters in accordance with relevant legislation and bylaws.
The Committee works closely with the Regional Transport Committee to support coordinated transport planning, funding and delivery across Tairāwhiti.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Statutory committees
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Cr Rob Telfer
Membership: As specified in the Land Transport Management Act 2003
Cr Colin Alder, Cr Jeremy Muir, Cr Daniel Thompson, a NZ Transport Agency representative, community representatives as required.
Quorum: 3 members
Meeting frequency: 4 times a year
Purpose
To prepare and recommend the Regional Land Transport Plan and any variations to the plan, for Council approval.
The Committee also provides advice and assistance to Council on its transport responsibilities and supports an integrated, safe, responsive, and sustainable transport system for Tairāwhiti.
Scope
The Committee:
- Oversees the development and monitoring of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP), Regional Public Transport Plan, and Regional Land Transport Programme.
- Approves submissions on external policy documents that may affect regional transport planning.
- Coordinates applications for regionally distributed transport funding.
- Supports transport outcomes that contribute to economic development, safety, accessibility, public health, cultural wellbeing, and environmental sustainability.
- Adopts policies relating to significant variations to the Regional Land Transport Plan.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Reports to: Council
Chairperson: Mayor Rehette Stoltz
Deputy Chairperson: Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria
Membership: Cr Anne Huriwai, Cr Jeremy Muir, Cr Rob Telfer, Cr Rawinia Parata, Cr Rhonda Tibble and 4 iwi appointees (TBC)
Quorum: Half of members if the number is even; a majority if the number is odd.
Meeting frequency: As required. Meetings may be held on the same day as Council meetings.
Purpose
To fulfil the functions of a Civil Defence Emergency Management Group under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and provide governance oversight of emergency management activities across the Gisborne District.
The Committee supports planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities and oversees the development and implementation of the Gisborne Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Chairperson: Commissioner Pat Seymour
Membership: Cr Alexandra Boros, plus a Chairperson and 2 members appointed from the Council-approved list of District Licensing Committee members under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Appointments are made for each application or matter by the Committee Secretary under delegated authority.
Meeting frequency: As required.
Purpose
To carry out the independent statutory functions of a District Licensing Committee under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Scope
The Committee considers and determines:
- Applications for licences and managers' certificates.
- Renewals of licences and managers' certificates.
- Applications for temporary authorities.
- Applications for the variation, suspension or cancellation of special licences.
- Applications to vary licences (other than special licences).
- Matters referred to the Licensing Authority where appropriate.
- Inquiries and reports required by the Licensing Authority.
- Any other functions conferred by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 or other legislation.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Joint committees
Reports to: Council
Co-Chairs: Mayor Rehette Stoltz and TBC
Membership: As specified under the Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012:
2 members appointed by the Ngāi Tāmanuhiri trustees
2 members appointed by the trustees of the Rongowhakaata Charitable Trust
2 members appointed by the trustees of Te Aitanga a Māhaki Trust
5 Councillors: Cr Samuel Gibson, Cr Debbie Gregory, Cr Jeremy Muir, Cr Rawinia Parata, Cr Rhonda Tibble.
Quorum: TBC
Meeting frequency: TBC
Purpose
The Local Leadership Body is a permanent joint committee established under the Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Claims Settlement Act 2012.
Its purpose is to:
- Contribute to the sustainable management of natural and physical resources within the Local Leadership Body area.
- Recognise and provide for the traditional relationship of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Māhaki and their affiliates with ancestral lands, waterways, sites, wāhi tapu, and other taonga.
- Support the social, economic, cultural, and environmental wellbeing of communities within the Local Leadership Body area.
- Ensure Council is appropriately informed of its statutory obligations within the Local Leadership Body area, including obligations arising under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and relevant legislation.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
19 September 2017 - Gisborne District Council and Iwi Co-Governance in Tairāwhiti a discussion to begin the Local Leadership Body.
Reports to: Council
Co-Chairs: Mayor Rehette Stoltz and TBC
Membership:
Council: Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann (or designated staff member), Mayor Rehette Stoltz and Cr Rawinia Parata.
Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou (TRoNPnui): Chief Executive (or designated staff member), the Chairperson of the TRoNPnui Board and a nominated Board member.
Quorum: 4 members, including 2 representatives from each party
Meeting frequency: Every 4 months, or as required for extraordinary meetings called by the Co-Chairs
Purpose
The Joint Management Agreement Forum is established under the Joint Management Agreement between Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou and Gisborne District Council.
Its purpose is to provide a framework for Ngā hapū o Ngāti Porou to participate in Resource Management Act decision-making within the Ngāti Porou rohe, specifically within the Waiapu Catchment.
The Forum promotes partnership, collaboration, and shared decision-making on matters covered by the Joint Management Agreement.
For full details on the committee's purpose, scope, and delegations, refer to the Governance Structure and Terms of Reference.
Governance structure and terms of reference
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