Gretchen Robertson (35), who is in her 10th year as a councillor, was voted deputy chairwoman unopposed yesterday at the first regional council meeting of the new triennium.
''It's exciting and daunting at the same time,'' she said.
As expected, former chairman Stephen Woodhead (51) was re-elected, also unopposed.
Ms Robertson's appointment marks another first. She was believed to be the youngest woman elected to a regional council, at age 26 in 2004, and possibly the first regional councillor to be standing for re-election after just having had a baby.
A water quality scientist, Ms Robertson has two sons, Angus (3) and Blake (11 months) who attended the swearing in with her husband, John Hollows.
Ms Robertson said having the weight of community aspirations on her shoulders was a big task but she was ready for it.
''It's ever changing. There are constantly new challenges which makes it exciting.''
Her water science background meant she was looking forward to helping lead the implementation of the council's water quality and quantity changes.
''It definitely needs a lot of buy-in from the community.''
She was nominated for the role by former deputy chairman David Shepherd, who said she had the skills and knowledge for the position, as well as having the ''environment and people at heart''.
Mr Woodhead also acknowledged the election of new Dunstan councillor Gary Kelliher, at 40 the second-youngest councillor, as helping lower the average age of the governance team.
''Your mix of diverse business interests and strong community links, as well as your young family, will add an element to the council table that hasn't been there.''
The councillors' ages range from 35 (Cr Robertson) to 71 (Michael Deaker and Louise Croot). The other new Dunstan councillor, Graeme Bell, was also attending his first council meeting.
Mr Woodhead told the new council much of the legislation governing the council's work had changed, or was in the process of changing, so it would present a significant challenge.
''We'll need to put more effort into ensuring everyone understands the legislative framework.''
There were also opportunities to partner with local authorities throughout the country and with the commerce sector or organisations such as the University of Otago.
''The challenge is to whether we, as council, grasp those opportunities.''
Councillors would need to meet in coming weeks to plan the strategy for the next three years, setting up the ''platform for a productive and efficient three years''.
Council chief executive Peter Bodeker welcomed the new council with an outline of the work it faced in the next three years, including the implementation of water quality and quantity plan changes.
''Both will have a significant impact on our constituents.''
The work it would take to link regional and territorial authority planning documents should also not be underestimated as the council developed its regional policy statement, he said.
He believed the council needed to better promote its activities and help the community better understand the roles and benefits of the body in both economic development and environmental management.
The next council meeting will be held on November 6, when decisions on its committee structure and chairmanships will be made.
