In effect the Council employs someone with a “tool box” who allocates the tools to specific projects, keeps the tool-box appropriately stocked and the tools sharp and in good condition. They work together to plan and further the community outcomes.

The role of Council is to promote the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the community that it serves.

A Mayor and Councillors are elected to the Council by the community every three years. These members of the Council are usually chosen because they understand what the community wants and they are good at making things happen. This is the political arm of local government.

The political arm of a local authority is one of the main sources of communication between the community and Council. It sets the policies and direction of Council , makes bylaws and has a regulatory role, determines the expenditure and funding requirements of Council, monitors the performance of the organisation, represents the interests of Opotiki District outside the area, and employs the Chief Executive who in turn, employs all other staff.

The Mayor is elected by the district as a whole and has additional responsibilities including presiding over Council meetings, promoting and representing the interests of the community, acting as the ceremonial head of Council and providing leadership and feedback to other elected members.

The scope of activities that a Council is involved in is large and often issues are highly technical or complex so the Council appoints a chief executive who in turn appoints a range of skilled staff to carry out the activities the council undertakes on behalf of the community. This is the organisational arm of local government.

In effect the Council employs someone with a "tool box" who allocates the tools to specific projects, keeps the tool-box appropriately stocked and the tools sharp and in good condition. They work together to plan and help to make the community outcomes a reality.

The organisational arm, through the Chief Executive, implements the decisions of Council, provides advice to Council on managing the activities of the organisation effectively and efficiently, plans and provides accurate reports of the financial and service performance of Council, employs and provides leadership. Opotiki District Council currently has six councillors elected from three wards and a mayor elected from the whole district. A Coast Community Board consisting five members represents the area from Hawai to Whangaparaoa. Meetings currently take place on a six weekly cycle. A Tourism and Promotions, Sport and Recreation and an Audit Committee meet six weekly and / or as required.