Committees and Advisory Boards

• To oversee the development of strategies and plans that reflect and implement the Council's vision.
• To oversee the development of strategies, plans and programmes that protect and restore the  District’s natural environment, resources, and ecology.
• To improve community resilience to environmental threats.

• To provide governance advice on community wellbeing, facilities, strategies, economic development, and associated policy and bylaws. 
• To promote and foster social cohesion, connection, and wellbeing. 
• To ensure facilities and programmes are provided that enhance and support community health and wellbeing

This is a joint committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, Rotorua, Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne District Councils to determine Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

The Terms of Reference are available from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

This Committee is administered by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

This is a joint committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, Rotorua, Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne District Councils established by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council under the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

The Terms of Reference are available from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

This Committee is administered by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

This is a joint committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kawerau District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council and the Whakatāne District Council for responding to and managing a range of Eastern Bay of Plenty issues. The purpose is to form, explore and make recommendations for strategic collaborative initiatives between the partner councils and has a Terms of Reference (PDF, 102 KB) and Memorandum of Understanding as agreed by the partner councils.

Mayor Dr Victor Luca
Deputy Mayor Lesley Immink (as alternate)

Each council has two committees known as 'Committee A' and 'Committee B'.

Committee A Membership is as follows:

• Commissioner Russell Orr

List Members

• Jenny Mahoney
• Alan Sciascia
• Aaron Rangihika
• Tony Gardner
• Duane Gardiner

Committee B Membership is as follows and enables Alan Sciascia to be the Commissioner in Russell Orr’s absence.

• Commissioner Alan Sciascia

List Members

• Jenny Mahoney
• Aaron Rangihika
• Tony Gardner
• Duane Gardiner

The Terms of Reference for this Committee is included in the Delegations Register.

This is a joint committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kawerau District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council and the Whakatāne District Council. The objective of the Committee is to provide strategic direction, oversight and leadership to ensure Eastern Bay roads are increasingly free of death and serious injury.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Kawerau District Council: Councillor

Ōpōtiki District Council: Councillor

Whakatane District Council: Councillor Gavin Dennis and in his absence Councillor Councillor Wilson James

1 representative from NZ Police
1 representative from New Zealand Transport Agency
1 representative from Road Transport Association NZ
1 representative from ACC

The Rangitāiki River Forum (the Forum) is a statutory joint committee set up under the Ngāti Whare Claims Settlement Act 2012 and the Ngāti Manawa Claims Settlement Act 2012. The Forum has been established to protect and enhance the environmental, cultural, and spiritual health and wellbeing of the Rangitāiki River and its catchments, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Rangitaiki River Forum Terms of reference are available from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council who administers this group. 

The Tarawera Awa Restoration Group terms of reference is being developed. 

The Forum is a joint committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Whakatāne District Council and Taupō District Council. Membership includes representatives from:

• • Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whare (1 member)
•  Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Manawa (1 member)
• Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa (1 member)
• Ngāti Tūwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Settlement Trust (1 member)
• Ngāti Hineuru (1 member)
• Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua (1 member)
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council (5 members)
• Whakatāne District Council (1 member)
• Taupō District Council (1 member)

The Whakatāne District Council representatives are:

• Councillor Tu O'Brien
• Councillor Wilson James as alternate member

To oversee implementation of the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy by the Ōhiwa Harbour Strategy Coordination Group (OHSCG) - an operational group made up of staff representatives  from the OHS partner organisations. 

The Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum Terms of Reference are available from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council who administers this group.

The OHIF is made up of politicians or elected representatives from each of the partner organisations. The OHIF specifically invite attendance by organisations/groups which they believe will be interested such as the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Fisheries, Nukuhou Salt Marsh Care Group.

The partnership includes:

• Ōpōtiki District Council (1 member)
• Whakatāne District Council (1 member)
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council (1 member)
• Four appointees (Tangata Whenua) representing Whakatohea,
• Upokorehe, Ngāti Awa and Ngā Tūhoe

The Whakatāne District Council representatives are:

• Councillor Tu O'Brien, and
• Councillor Andrew Iles
• Councillor Nándor Tánczos (as the alternate member).

There are two allocation meetings each year. Membership consists of two Councillors, one representative from Arts Whakatāne, one Māori representative, and at least three community representatives, that should include a cross section of young people and migrant groups. Community representatives must be elected in a public and open way and appointments confirmed by the existing assessment committee. The term of the community representatives is for three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms (note this does not apply to the Council or Arts Council appointments). The Chairperson is to be elected each year, for a maximum of three years.

The purpose of the Commercial Advisory Board is to provide strategic advice on Council's strategic landholdings and broader economic and business development opportunities.

The Board will provide strategic advice on:

• Council's harbour lease land portfolio
• The development of assets with a commercial imperative including ports and harbour and airport
• Purchase, divestment and development of strategic landholdings

The Board will concern themselves with broader economic and business development opportunities as they arise

The Council has adopted the Strategy for Young People in the Whakatāne District 2011-2016 which requires that each secondary school has at least two representatives on the Youth Council. To achieve District-wide representation, positions have also been reserved for at least one student from each area school in the District. This will ensure young people are represented across the wards that comprise the District. There are currently 11 Youth Councillors.

The Whakatāne District Youth Council (WDYC) consists of young people aged between 12-24 years who provide a youth perspective to what the Council does. The WDYC has a mixture of ethnicity, age, gender, experience and represents different geographic locations of the district. The WDYC discusses youth issues and works on youth projects, and the members gain valuable skills and learn about local government. The aim of the Youth Council is to encourage youth participation in the community.

The Whakatāne District Sister Cities Association consists of two Council appointees and various outside persons. This Association is funded by the Council ($5,000 per annum). Although it is a community organisation, there are strong links with the Council, as the Sister Cities movement has strong local government links. The focus of the Association will be on economic development opportunities as well as continuing with the friendship agreements.

The Mayor is patron of the Association. An AGM is held each year. Janie Storey, Administration Officer Community, is the Secretary. The Sister Cities Association has its own constitution and objectives.

China is now making approaches to New Zealand towns, and changes need to be made to reflect that relationship. The Council currently has two sister cities, Kamagaya in Japan and Warwick in Australia.

The Keep Whakatāne Beautiful Committee is currently under review.