In a first for Rotorua, and possibly New Zealand for a council of this size, women have been appointed to all posts at council sub-committee level.

Top poller Tania Tapsell, who would have accepted the deputy mayoralty had she been offered, chairs the operations and monitoring committee, with new comer Mercia Yates her deputy.

But mayor Steve Chadwick has retained Merepeka Raukawa-Tait as chair of the strategy, policy and finance committee with Sandra Kai-Fong, another new chum, her deputy.

The changes by Steve are ringing endorsements of a new intake of councillors and will placate a wider public clamouring for change with the council's ranks.

For Dave Donaldson, clinging onto ninth place, has been retained as deputy mayor, for the third term in Steve Chadwick's ministrations.

Also well down the list is perennial favourite Trevor Maxwell, who finished 10^th.

Tania Tapsell replaces Charles Sturt as chair of operations, a position Charles held until illness forced his retirement.

The choice of lawyer Sandra Kai Fong's appointment, which may be seen by some as tokenism, endorses Sandra's strong presence in the community with the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust and her respected Rotorua family name.

No room could be found for the strong polling members of the Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers organisation. It has a bloc of three – Raj Kumar (second top poller), Peter Bentley and Reynold Macpherson.

Steve has signalled the sub-committee make up could change in 12 months, an arrangement she will recall from her days in central government.

This gives ample time for new councillors to bed in, as it were, should her present chosen ones not perform.

The new councillors should benefit from collective wisdom – Trevor Maxwell without doubt is now New Zealand's longest serving local body politician, with close to 40 years as a councillor, a period served as deputy mayor.

But Rotorua has signalled in the last two elections it wants change – on the surface it appears Steve Chadwick as acknowledged as much.

At the swearing earlier this week, Steve said the council will set its priorities for the triennium in the coming months and will look to take the district's Vision 2030 out to 2050.

In her inaugural speech Steve says she's looking forward to working alongside her fellow elected members to achieve success for the district.

'We have an incredible council that the community has voted in.

'Everybody is talking about the diversity around the table and they're excited – a mix of new and incumbents, and some great skills, and you're all very keen to make your mark,” the mayor said.

'The election results affirm the direction set in the previous two terms – continuity. And that's a very good asset for us to have as a district.”

The Rotorua council comprises: Mayor Steve Chadwick, Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson, Councillors Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Peter Bentley, Trevor Maxwell, Raj Kumar, Tania Tapsell, Reynold Macpherson, Sandra Kai-Fong, Mercia Yates, Fisher Wang.

Rural Community Board: Shirley Trumper (chair), Bryce Heard, Ben Hollier, Sarah Thompson.

Lakes Community Board: Phill Thomas (chair), Nick Chater, Jennifer Rothwell, Sandra Goodwin.