All elected members must make an oral declaration when taking office.
"I, AB, declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill and judgement, execute and perform, the best interests of (region or district), the powers, authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon, me as (mayor, chairperson or member) of the (local authority) by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act" [1].
This public declaration signals the high standards to which elected members are to be held. They are charged with making decisions in the best interests of the entire community, being the whole Auckland region for Governing Body members and the whole local board area for local board members.
