Auckland Council has voted to set up a Rainbow Advisory Panel today.
The extra $56,500 cost will be met out of the mayoral budget.
Council community development and safety committee chairwoman Cathy Casey last month said the panel would provide an important voice for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community.
"We have a responsibility to represent all groups within Auckland and this is an important step in that process."
