Christchurch's newly elected mayor and city councillors have been officially sworn in on Thursday night.
Lianne Dalziel. Photo: RNZ
The council is made up of a first-time mayor and nine new councillors. Only four were returned from the previous council, which was characterised by divisions and a series of problems, including the loss of the council's building consents accreditation.
After swearing an oath, mayor Lianne Dalziel gave a short speech in which she pledged to lead a can-do council that would provide earthquake-hit Christchurch with a fresh start.
Meanwhile, Ms Dalziel has defended the hiring of a senior adviser behind the city's controversial school closures as her acting chief of staff.
Claire Edmondson was previously the senior ministerial adviser to Education Minister Hekia Parata and at present works for consultancy firm Martin Jenkins and Associates.
Ms Dalziel has been a vocal critic of how the education restructure was handled by the Minister's office.
Ms Dalziel says Ms Edmondson is a professional and competent employee, and she has no problem having a staff member who was involved in the school closures.
