'Very dramatic” are words being used to describe the swearing-in of the newly-elected Tauranga City Council.

People have gathered in the council chambers this afternoon to witness the swearing-in of the city's new mayor and councillors.

A reporter at the event says things have been very dramatic so far.

'Some guy walked in and ripped the Treaty of Waitangi off the wall and all you can really hear is the chanting of the council staff striking outside.”

The official swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place from now until 3pm.

The ceremony comes after Tauranga had its best voter turnout since 2010, reversing a long-term trend for lower turnouts.

Nearly 40.3 per cent of voting papers were returned this year, compared with about 38 per cent in the last two elections and 43.6 per cent in 2010.

Voters elected a new mayor, Tenby Powell, and five new councillors in Jako Abrie, Dawn Kiddie, Andrew Hollis, Heidi Hughes and Tina Salisbury.

They join existing councillors Larry Baldock, Kelvin Clout, Bill Grainger, Steve Morris and John Robson.

The mayor and councillors will be able to act in their roles after they are sworn in.