''I'm just humbled and thrilled to be in this seat and I intend to perform the duties as diligently as I have in the last 18 years and to support Dan as best I can,'' Cr Atkinson said.
''I'm really excited to be here and to be part of the new council. The last couple or three days getting to know the other councillors have been good. We have a really good council.''
Cr Atkinson has served five terms on the council and one term as a Kaiapoi Community Board member before that.
His sentiments were echoed by chief executive Jim Palmer, who presided over the meeting until he witnessed Mr Gordon presenting and then signing the mayoral declaration.
''They have come together really well over the last two weeks and I'm sure we are going to have a fantastic three years.''
The meeting opened with Ngai Tuahuriri and council kaumatua Aroha Reritii-Crofts calling the councillors into the chambers and then blessing the new council term.
Councillors also unanimously approved Mr Gordon's recommendations for portfolio holders and council committee appointments. Further appointments will be made at the first regular council meeting on November 5.
Council portfolio holders:
Mayor Dan Gordon: Iwi relationships, regional transport.
Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson: International relationships (supported by Crs Philip Redmond and Joan Ward).
Cr Kirstyn Barnett: District planning development (supported by Cr Niki Mealings), and communications and customer service.
Cr Al Blackie: Kaiapoi regeneration.
Cr Robbie Brine: Solid waste, and greenspace (parks, reserves and sports grounds).
Cr Wendy Doody: Community facilities (aquatic centres, multi-use sports stadium, libraries/service centres, town halls, museums and community housing), and community development and wellbeing (supported by Cr Atkinson).
Cr Philip Redmond: Regulation and civil defence.
Cr Niki Mealings: Climate change and sustainability.
Cr Sandra Stewart: Canterbury Water Management Strategy and Waimakariri Zone Committee, drainage and stockwater.
Cr Joan Ward: Business, promotion and town centres, and audit, risk, Long Term Plan and the excellence programme.
Cr Paul Williams: Roading and utilities (water supplies and sewer).
Community board and committee appointments:
Rangiora-Ashley Community Board: Crs Barnett, Brine, Ward and Williams.
Oxford-Ohoka Community Board: Crs Doody and Mealings.
Woodend-Sefton Community Board: Crs Redmond and Stewart.
Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board: Crs Atkinson and Blackie.
Audit and Risk Committee: Crs Atkinson, Barnett, Stewart (1st chair), Ward (2nd chair) and Williams.
Community and Recreation Committee: Crs Blackie (1st chair), Brine, Doody, Mealings (3rd chair) and Redmond (2nd chair).
District Planning and Regulation Committee: Crs Atkinson (2nd chair), Barnett (1st chair), Mealings, Redmond and Ward.
Utilities and Roading Committee: Crs Blackie, Brine (3rd chair), Doody (1st chair), Stewart and Williams (2nd chair).
Mahi Tahi Joint Development Committee: Mayor Gordon, Crs Atkinson and Blackie.
Land and Water Committee: Crs Atkinson, Barnett, Blackie, Mealings, Stewart (chair) and Williams.
District Licencing Committee: Cr Redmond, joining Crs Atkinson, Williams and Doody, and Commissioner Jim Gerard.
Mayor Gordon is an ex-officio member of all council committees.
Chief Executive Review Committee: Mayor Gordon (chair), Crs Atkinson, Brine and Williams.
Hearings Committee (other than RMA): Crs Atkinson, Barnett, Blackie, Brine, Doody, Mealings, Redmond, Stewart, Ward and Williams.
Code of Conduct Committee: Crs Atkinson (chair), Brine, Redmond and Doody.
Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (CDEM Group): Mayor Gordon.
Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP): Mayor Gordon, Crs Atkinson and Mealings.
Local Government New Zealand Rural/Provincial sector and Zone 5 and 6 meetings: Mayor Gordon.
Greater Christchurch Public Transport Joint Committee and Regional Land Transport Committee: Mayor Gordon.
Canterbury Waste Joint Committee and Canterbury Regional Landfill Joint Committee: Cr Brine.
