Nerve-wracking first meeting for Tararua District's new mayor Tracey Collis

Proud family attended Wednesday's Tararua District Council swearing in of the mayor and Councillors.

New Tararua District mayor Tracey Collis admitted her first council meeting on Wednesday was nerve-wracking.

"We had our auditors there and at my first council meeting three years ago it was when our auditor provided us with details of Infracon's insolvency," she told the Dannevirke News.

However, this year auditors Clint Romoo and John Whittal, from Audit New Zealand, gave council a clear audit, saying their were no issues to raise.

Yesterday Mrs Collis was off to a mayoral induction in Wellington and looking forward to networking and discussing how other mayors operate their portfolios.

Mrs Collis will announced Tararua District Council portfolios at the next monthly meeting in late November.

"I'm meeting with councillors regarding their interests and passions, but I'm also conscious we'll have a new councillor after the upcoming by-election in the south ward," she said.

While Woodville's dam is the most critical issue for council, Mrs Collis also wants to talk with residents in outlying areas of the district to discover what they want from council.

"I'm not going to tell people how to work with us."

For returning north ward councillor Jim Crispin roading is fundamental and essential to our district, but he acknowledges council has to get through its major infrastructure improvements first.

"Then it's time to get on to other important issues," he said.

New south ward councillor Andy Thompson said he's looking forward to working as part of a team for the betterment of our district.

"I think I've the skills to support the mayor and our district and it's a privilege to serve the district," he said.

"Actually, it's not a bad idea for everyone in the community to aspire to contribute to our community in one way or another."