Gowns, robes, white gloves and a hat that pointed in two directions were accoutrements that added to the pomp and ceremony of the inaugural Dunedin City Council meeting yesterday.
An event mostly devoted to the swearing in of mayor and councillors had to be moved from the council chambers to the Fullwood Room in the Dunedin Centre to fit in the family members and friends who came to support the recently elected local body politicians.
The event began with a mihi whakatau (welcome).
Chief executive Sue Bidrose, dressed in robe and wig, was in charge of the investiture of Mayor Dave Cull. She told him the word ''mayor'' came from the Latin word for ''major'', and meant he was the city's first citizen, the highest honour the city had.
She explained the symbolism of the robe, chain and gloves of the office, and told him at the end of his tenure he had to hand the city to the next mayor ''in an unsullied condition''.
The hat had two points, one that symbolised looking forward, and the other looking back, to profit from the experience of the past.
Mr Cull presided over the oath of office for councillors.
Mr Cull told the meeting it was a privilege to be again chosen as mayor, and to be part of a council that included a positive combination of talent and energy.
He said the council had ''a new start and a new mandate''.
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DCC also has new, much clearer, Standing Orders introduced at this meeting. No more direct grilling of staff – the new Standing Orders clearly say that questions must be asked through the chair. I find it interesting that the CEO (along with all councillors and the mayor) can now initiate a Code of Conduct complaint but members of the public cannot. There is also long-needed clarification in the new Standing Orders about working parties and workshops.
DCC has vastly improved over the last few years with respect to transparency, inclusiveness and accountability. Having an in-house legal advisor present at meetings to advise the chair on correct procedure and interpretation of Points of Order has also been excellent.
It will be interesting to see how the new Standing Orders (consistent with the rest of NZ) are upheld, particularly regarding the issue of councillors not being allowed to argue with the chair of the meeting. My fingers are crossed for well-ordered meetings at the DCC this triennium where everyone plays by the rules and, if not, the rules are enforced.