A season of change has kicked off at Western Bay of Plenty District Council with the new council holding its inaugural meeting this week.

On Monday, new Mayor James Denyer and 11 councillors were sworn into their roles after a pōwhiri where mana whenua Ngai Tamarawaho welcomed them to the Barkes Corner council chambers.

Denyer said it was an 'honour and privilege” to be elected mayor and he acknowledged and congratulated the councillors.

New councillors Andy Wichers, Richard Crawford, Tracey Coxhead, and Rodney Joyce join returning councillors John Scrimgeour, Grant Dally, Anne Henry, Allan Sole, Murray Grainger, Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Thwaites.

He also paid tribute to outgoing councillors, Monique Gray, Kevin Marsh, Mark Dean and retiring mayor Garry Webber.

Denyer, a previous Katikati Waihi Beach councillor, said he has 'big shoes to fill” and that Webber had left a 'fine legacy” for the district.

He said the elections had been 'particularly difficult…against a backdrop of a number of devise national issues”.

Defined by change

'Significant resilience has been required of us all on the campaign trail. But now the campaigning is over and our work as team begins.

'This triennium will be defined by change. Change because I am a new mayor, change because we shall have major legislative reforms to deal with.”

'I intend to lead council in terms of navigating these changes to get the best outcomes for all of us.”

Addressing his councillors, Denyer said: 'We shall be required on occasion to make difficult and courageous decisions and we must not be misled into making the easy or expedient choice”.

'But know this, making such decisions is much easier when you know what you are doing what is right.

'I wish my mayoralty to be marked by collaboration, communication, and delivery.”

He named John Scrimgeour as his deputy mayor, who also served as deputy in the last triennium.

'Having John continue as deputy mayor provides really important continuity during a period of significant change for our district.

'John is well connected and brings a wealth of experience to the role. So, I'm thrilled he has agreed to work alongside me in this role.”

Council chief executive John Holyoake said he was 'very excited to be working with James, our new mayor, and the rest of our councillors.”

The district's 20 Community Board members were also sworn in and held their first meeting.

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Mayor James Denyer during the pōwhiri.