Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber donned his golden chains and welcomed his council at a formal inaugural meeting.
In Te Puke this afternoon a crowd gathered to see the formal swearing in of the new mayor, deputy mayor and councillors tasked with decision-making for the Western Bay community for the next three years.
Following a powhiri and hongi between new councillors and hapu, council chief executive Miriam Taris declared Garry Webber mayor.
Mike Williams was approved as deputy mayor while committees and their chairs and deputy chairs were established and councillors appointed to community boards.
It was decided the first business meeting of the council would take place in Tauranga on November 24.
In mayor Garry Webber's inaugural speech he said the new council hoped to take the Western Bay from "good to great".
The five new councillors - Grant Dally, Mike Lally, David Marshall, Mark Dean and John Palmer- would provide "fresh thinking and new ideas".
Mr Webber hoped they would work collaboratively with the returning councillors - Peter Mackay, Kevin Marsh, John Scrimgeour, Don Thwaites and Margaret Murray-Benge - who gained a renewed mandate from their communities.
It was an uplifting speech about achieving great outcomes for the community, however, Mr Webber warned about fiscal responsibility.
He referenced the financial crisis of 2008 which followed the 2007 building boom people thought would never end in New Zealand and the Bay .
"The fairytale ended badly. We are back to experiencing a boom but we as council must learn ... We must temper our aspirations with pragmatism and financial prudence."
Also a part of Mr Webber's vision was improved engagement and communication between council and members of the public.
"Exemplary engagement must and will be a part of this council's everyday business," he said.