- By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, funded by New Zealand on Air
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is laying down the law telling elected councillors it’s time they got back around the meeting table more often.
Brown has informed Auckland councillors of new requirements for in-person attendance.
It marks the end of online participation at council meetings, which has been a popular practise generally across the public service and business sector during and after the Covid era.
At a recent Auckland Council Governing Body meeting, Brown started by noting the lack of councillors around the table.
“Couple of reminders councillors, some are online and not enough of them are here.
“But wherever they are this is the last council meeting that you can attend online,” Brown said.
“From now on you have got to show up.”
He then rattled off stipulations about councillors’ attendance.
“You should be in a secure place during the meeting if you are not present here.
“And you should not be driving while connected to the meeting. Please be present,” Brown said.
“Ensure your phone is turned off, or at the very least on silent.”
Online attendance at Auckland Council’s meetings became a necessity during the Covid-19 lockdowns and had become commonplace since.
