The new Western Bay of Plenty District Council has been sworn in this afternoon.

The ceremony and inaugural meeting took place at the Te Puke Memorial Hall.

The meeting began with a traditional powhiri, in which councillors and guests were welcomed in from the hall steps.

Once inside, they were seated: men in the front, women in back, marae-style. Representatives of local hapu then spoke in Te Reo, welcoming the new councillors and community board members into the area.

This was followed by the singing of hymns, in Maori.

The half-hour powhiri ended with a mass hongi between hapu members and incoming councillors, before refreshments were served.

After a short break, council CEO Miriam Taris declared Garry Webber the mayor and placed the ceremonial chains around his neck.

Garry then delivered his inaugural speech, in which he said he believed democracy has delivered a solid team of councillors. He also spoke of taking the Western bay 'from good to great.”

'Exemplary community engagement must be, and will be, part of this council's everyday activity,” he said, as he spelled out his vision as mayor.

He briefly discussed economic cycles, calling the GFC 'more like Halloween than grandma's apple pie.” This was intended as a warning that, while we are currently in a boom period, financial prudence should be maintained.

'We must be nimble and quick-thinking.”

The incoming councillors then took their individual declarations, before sitting down to the first meeting.

Item one on the agenda was the appointment of the deputy mayor, which went to Councillor Mike Williams.

Councillors were subsequently appointed to community boards.

The new WBOP council.