As he prepares to be sworn-in tomorrow afternoon, Mayor-elect Dan Gordon is proposing a new climate change and sustainability portfolio, while the roading portfolio will be split into local roading and regional transport.
Mr Gordon plans to take the lead on regional transport.
''I want to support the local issues and the wider regional issues like the (Woodend) bypass and NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) investment into addressing traffic congestion and the motorway.
''We have a lot of big projects that we need investment in and that includes passenger transport.''
Mr Gordon says it will be a good fit, as it is recommended that the mayor sits on the Greater Christchurch Public Transport Committee and the Regional Transport Committee, and former mayor David Ayers served on both.
He says climate change is a growing concern which requires some leadership.
''It's certainly an issue which we need to keep our eyes on and there's work being done by council staff in this space, so it's important for council to provide some leadership and keep on top of that.''
Mr Gordon had a busy first week, after the provisional results were announced on October 12, moving into the mayor's office the following Monday and meeting with all 10 newly elected councillors individually during the week.
''I've had some really good discussions and we've talked about what each of their interests are.
''We've got three new councillors, one in each ward, and they are all going to do a good job in the roles I will give them.''
Once sworn in tomorrow, the councillors will select a deputy mayor and vote on Mr Gordon's portfolio recommendations.
Mr Gordon says he has met with Kevin Felstead, following the election result which saw the former deputy mayor lose his seat around the council table.
''I'm sad for Kevin because he's been a long-term colleague and a friend.''
He has also met with Mr Ayers during his first week and says he is ''very thankful for his advice''.
He also met the new members across the district's four community boards.
''We did an induction during the week. They are an impressive bunch and there's a lot of younger board members and there's more women on the council.''
Mr Gordon believes he is the youngest mayor in the Waimakariri district's 30-year history. He will celebrate his 44th birthday in December.
