New era begins with Super City swearing in

Mayor Len Brown enters the Auckland Town Hall for the inaugural meeting of the new Auckland Council this evening. Photo / NZPA

The mayor and 20 councillors who will lead the inaugural Super City administration are being sworn in at Auckland's Town Hall this evening.

The ceremony will include performances from a full orchestra and a choir, as well as blessings from kaumatua and Mr Brown's first official speech as mayor.

And, according to 3 News, the slogan that the mayor-elect believes encapsulates his approach to his new job is "Yes, do that".

Speaking this afternoon, Mr Brown told 3 News that his first day had been a long one.

"I feel like I have had a whole of work already. It's strange to turn up to your first day in the office at 7am."

Although enjoying the day's festivities, Brown stressed he had been working hard to ensure his term as mayor starts off on the right foot.

"I've been dong everything I can to lift this machine up and propel I forward," he told 3 News.

Earlier today, Prime Minister John Key said the new council's first meeting tonight is an opportunity for a fresh start.

Mr Key is attending the meeting and told reporters it was a very important day for the city.

"We have delivered a framework that can deliver opportunity and speed of decision making," he said.

"That's got to be a good thing and I'm sure a lot of people in Auckland tonight will be celebrating."

The new council was blessed by iwi at a ceremony in Aotea Square this morning, officially signalling the transformation of eight territorial councils into one "super city".

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said the new council had been streamlined to ensure the most efficient use of ratepayers' funds, and there would be immediate benefits to many residents.

"From today, there is a 13 per cent staffing reduction - saving ratepayers $66.5m in annual salaries. By the end of the transition period - July 1 2012 - this will increase to 16 per cent, or a $91 million annual saving. Roughly half of the reduction has been by natural attrition, minimising the burden of redundancy payments."

Auckland was now set up to be the "world-class city and economic powerhouse" that New Zealand wanted it to be, Mr Hide said.

"The Government has done its part. Now it's over to the new Mayor Len Brown, and his team, to take control and build a brighter future for Auckland."

Mr Brown was voted in as the area's mayor on October 9, beating his rival John Banks by 60,000 votes.

He said he was excited about his first day in the top seat with his new council, but realised the reality of the challenges ahead and said the change was necessary.

"I know there's either concern or interest from local government around New Zealand and other councils about whether or not they ought to be contemplating amalgamation, but I think it's really important - and I think other New Zealanders really got this - that Auckland is a bit of a unique case."

He said that was Auckland was home to 35 per cent of the population, while the next biggest city was home to about 10 per cent.

- NZ Herald staff and NZPA