He started his tenure with a bit of pomp, a slice of ceremony and plenty of song, but new Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth said his official robe and chains will be kept largely in the wardrobe from now on.
Mr Cutforth and his new council were sworn in last week .
Afterwards,Mr Cutforth said he is choosing a less formal approach to council appearances.
This means the dress code at full council meetings will be well dressed, but not well robed, though Mr Cutforth said the fur-trimmed, red robes and chains will be coming out for formal occasions. "I do want to preserve the dignity and tradition of the office, but want a more inclusive approach and the more casual dress is one way of achieving that," he said.
Another change is dropping the term "your worship", though councillors or anyone else are free to use it if they choose. He would prefer to be addressed as "Mr Chairman" when presiding over council meetings.
"My aim is to have people relax, speak openly and work together," he said. "If a less formal approach helps achieve that it will all be to the good."
At the new council's first full meeting Hikurangi third term councillor Greg Martin was appointed chairman of the Infrastructure and Services committee. Crs Shelley Deeming and Warwick Syers retained their chairs of the Environment and Finance and Support committees.
Until a review at the end of six months, membership of the three committees will include all councillors.
"This way we can have a look at the situation in six months and either stay with the status quo or make changes if necessary," Mr Cutforth said.
