Invercargill’s newest crop of elected members have been officially welcomed to their roles at a swearing-in ceremony at the Civic Theatre.
The 12 city councillors, led by new Mayor Tom Campbell, and members of the five-strong Bluff Community Board took part in the ceremony yesterday.
A welcome from Reverend Evelyn Cook, who served as the mana whenua representative for the Waihōpai Rūnaka during the last triennium, set the tone for a night of reflection and celebration.
Outgoing Mayor Nobby Clark also shared his parting thoughts, while the incoming Mayor Tom Campbell spoke on his vision for the city’s next chapter, and Council Chief Executive Michael Day shared some words of wisdom.
Mayor Campbell said the swearing-in ceremony was an opportunity for elected members to come together to celebrate.
“I would expect every one of us would agree that being elected to represent and lead our community is a tremendous privilege, and something that holds a great deal of importance to us all,” he said.
“The swearing-in ceremony is a poignant opportunity for each of us to join together in unity, as we celebrate our community’s next chapter. I am very much looking forward to working alongside all of our elected members, as we help to shape Invercargill and Bluff’s future.”
This term will see two new elected members at the Council table. Both Andrea de Vries and Lisa Tou-McNaughton are set to attend their inaugural full Council meeting on Tuesday, 4 November, alongside returning elected members Campbell, Steve Broad, Alex Crackett, Grant Dermody, Trish Boyle, Darren Ludlow, Ria Bond, Ian Pottinger, Allan Arnold, and Barry Stewart.
Marcus Lush, who served as an Invercargill City Councillor between 2021 and 2022, will also return to the Council table this term.
Meanwhile, Jo Eruera, Ray Fife, Frazer Murdoch, Haylee Simeon, and Justin Sutherland were elected to the Bluff Community Board. Their first meeting will be held on Monday, 24 November.