3.9 Public engagement and the media
Engaging with the public
Elected members interact with the public in two ways.
Governance decision-making
Many governance decisions require consideration of the views of those affected or interested in the decision. This includes:
- asking the public for feedback on council plans or proposals
- making sure the feedback is considered before making a decision.
Check How the council makes decisions for details on how the council engages with and consults with its communities.
Constituency role
Members of the public are free to contact an elected member with questions, queries or complaints. Depending on the issue, the public could contact a local board member, a ward councillor or the mayor. For local issues, it is best to approach a local board member. They can contact a ward councillor or the mayor for regional matters.
Elected members should act in ways that support and value community involvement in local democracy [1].
The mayor has a legal duty to lead how the council engages with the public. In addition to the role shared with all other elected members, the mayor is responsible to make sure the council engages properly with the people of Tāmaki Makaurau. This includes people:
- who are too young to vote
- of different ethnicities, cultures, locations or other communities of interest [2].
One of the mechanisms the mayor has used to engage with diverse Aucklanders is advisory panels, which communicate the interests of specific groups and consult on particular issues. You can learn more in The mayor’s role and powers.
Local boards also have a statutory role to engage with their communities. This is part of their role to make decisions on local matters, provide local leadership and support strong local communities [3].
Protocols around media and speeches
The media is highly interested in how the council makes decisions and delivers services. To fulfil its role, it needs access to accurate and timely information. When the media approaches elected members for comments, they should follow the Code of Conduct [4].
- The mayor is the first point of contact for the official view on any issue.
- When the mayor is absent the matters will be referred to the deputy mayor or relevant committee chair.
- The mayor can also refer matters to the relevant committee or local board chairs.
- The local board chair (or their delegate) may comment on local matters where the board has decision-making, public consultation or advocacy responsibilities.
- No other Governing Body or local board members may comment on behalf of the council unless they have approval from the mayor or local board chair (depending on the issue).
Personal views by elected members
Elected members may choose to respond immediately to media inquiries. The council’s communications team can help to make sure that media releases and responses are accurate.
When elected members share their personal views with the media, they must make it clear that:
- they are not speaking on behalf of the Governing Body or local board
- their statements do not represent the majority view if they are different from a Governing Body or local board decision or council policy.
Any personal media comments must follow the rules in the Code of Conduct. This means elected members must not:
- share confidential or legally protected information
- be partial or compromise staff integrity
- speak in a derogatory way about staff or other elected members.
Personal comments to the media are not protected in the same way as comments made during business meetings.
Support for public speaking
Help is available for elected members speaking on behalf of the council. This support may include drafting speeches or speaking notes to present information in a fair and politically neutral manner.
Council communications assistance will not promote or appear to promote a sitting member’s chances of re-election or personal profile.
Check 'media protocols' in 'Auckland Council Elected Members Code of Conduct – Attachments' to learn more.
Footnotes
[1] Code of Conduct section 7.3 Relationships with the community.
[2] Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 Section 9.
[3] Ibid, sections 13 & 16.
Straight Connector 9, Shape[4] Auckland Council Elected Members Code of Conduct Attachments (27 May 2021) F: Media protocols.