Extract:

A summary of the Panel's aims and achievements during the 2022-2025 term. 

Nau mai, Haere Mai, Talofa Lava, Malo e Lelei, Ni Sa Bula, Faalalofa Lahi atu, Kia Orana, Ni Hao, Annyeonghaseyo, Salam, Namaste and Greetings.

Demographic Advisory Panel Member's Role:

Panel members advise Auckland Council's Governing Body, policy teams, staff teams, and organisations on many significant regional policies, plans and initiatives that affect the daily lives and wellbeing of New Zealanders, now and for future generations. Their involvement helps Council members and staff understand the perspectives of Auckland's diverse communities, and helps ensure that political decisions, organisational actions and service delivery meet the needs of all Aucklanders and harness the opportunities diversity brings. The aim is that by developing strong, collaborative and professional working relationships with Council members and staff and between Panel members, everyone will be enabled to perform their role to the best of their ability.

Auckland Council is the largest council in Australasia, representing more than 1.7 million Aucklanders, and stretching from Te Hana in the north to Franklin in the south. It has a total proposed operating expenditure for 2023/24 of $5.3 billion. Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland is New Zealand's youngest and most ethnically diverse region with over 200 ethnicities. By 2038, Māori, Pacific, and Asian peoples are projected to make up a majority of the city's population. As communities have grown, socio-economic pressures, sense of belonging and inclusion, and support for new migrants have remained challenges, and there are low levels of participation in many civic activities across some community sectors. Demographic Advisory Panels are one way to help Auckland Council understand and meet these challenges and opportunities. And Panel members take their experiences and new knowledge back to their diverse communities, encouraging and enabling their participation in creating a better future for our city.

Seniors Advisory Panel, September 2025