Southern ward councillor Bill Keltie has been elected deputy mayor of Tararua District Council.
Mr Keltie was returned as a councillor for a fourth term at this month's local body elections.
He takes over the role of deputy from David Lea, who stood only for the mayoralty at the election, and was
unsuccessful.
His selection means Tararua has a new mayor - Pongaroa's Roly Ellis - as well as a new deputy.
Mr Keltie was the only nomination for deputy and also has portfolio responsibility for roading, along with David Roberts, and for the Resource Management Act/planning in company with Cr Warren Davidson.
At the inaugural meeting of the new council it was determined to have two standing committees, the tribunal and hearings committee and the chief executive's performance appraisal committee.
Other allotted portfolio responsibilities are:
Heritage - Peter Johns and Brenda Dodunski.
Finance - Chris Southgate and Shirley Hull.
Community relations - Shirley Hull and Brenda Dodunski.
Water and sewerage - Keith Fenemor and Warren Davidson.
Waste management - Warren Davidson and Peter Johns.
Community facilities - David Roberts and Shirley Hull.
Economic development/marketing - Roly Ellis and Brenda Dodunski.
