The mayor of Whakatane says his first challenge will be to ensure the new district council is transparent and accountable.
Tony Bonne has taken office after winning a hotly-contested race.
Mr Bonne says the community clearly wants a visibly efficient council and his first step will be to bring back the committee structure which had been abandoned.
He is proposing to have four committees dealing with audit requirements, hearings, projects and services and monitoring, and policy.
Though these will form the backbone of the council, its community boards will have a crucial role to play in building the council's profile and credibility, he says.
