Public forum is where members of the public can present their thoughts and ideas to our Councillors. Up to 30 minutes near the start of each meeting are set aside to hear from the public. Any topic raised by a member of the public must be relevant to the specific meeting.
You can attend public forum either in person or online.
To speak in public forum, you must register at least 24 hours before the meeting by filling in the registration form on our website Register for Public Forum, emailing our governance support team on governance@orc.govt.nz or contacting our customer service centre on 0800 474 082. All requests to speak need prior approval from the meeting Chairperson.
Speakers can speak for up to 5 minutes. No more than two speakers can speak on behalf of an organisation during public forum. Where the number of speakers presenting in the public forum exceeds 6 in total, the Chairperson has discretion to restrict the speaking time permitted for all presenters.
Start by introducing yourself, your organisation and the topic you will be talking about.
Please bring printed copies of any information you might wish to distribute to Councillors. If you wish to make an electronic presentation, please ensure that you have emailed it to the governance support team at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Our meetings are governed by Standing Orders, which are meeting rules to enable local authorities to exercise their decision-making responsibilities in a transparent, inclusive and lawful manner.
Please try to arrive before the meeting starts and the governance team will meet you, show you the Council Chamber and where to sit. As you enter the room there are three rows of seating to the left and right, this is the public gallery. Please come in quietly and take a seat. We will let you know when it is your turn to speak and where to present from.
When you have finished speaking, the Chairperson can allow Councillors to ask you questions if they want to clarify anything you talked about or find out more.
Please be aware that no debate or decisions will be made at the meeting on issues raised during public forum, unless related to items already on the agenda.
The Chairperson can decline to hear a speaker, or stop a presentation at any time, where:
If you wish to video or take photographs during a formal open meeting, you must seek permission from the Chairperson before the meeting starts.
As meetings are open to the public, there may be media present. Members of the media may approach you with questions after you have spoken. It’s up to you whether you respond to these questions or not.
After you have spoken, you are welcome to stay and listen to the rest of the public parts of the meeting. You will be notified by the Chair if agenda items are to be addressed with the public excluded and asked to leave the room. Public excluded items usually happen at the end of the meeting, after all public items have been dealt with.
Before you join a Council meeting online via Zoom, we recommend these tips and tricks: