Waimate District Council

 The Waimate District Council consists of a Mayor, eight Councillors and the operational staff. The Mayor and Councillor positions are subject to election every three years. The elected representatives are drawn from four wards. Waimate Urban, Lower Waihao, Hakataramea-Waihaorunga, and Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi.

Ultimate responsibility for all of the District Council's activities rests with the Council. The Council decides the range of services and activities to be provided, sets the policy for these services and activities, delegates the implementation of these to the staff and monitors their performance. While the Council has at times considerable freedom and opportunity to exercise its initiative in deciding its aim and policies, it must do this within the laws, regulations and requirements set down by central government. A local authority may only undertake those activities which are permitted by central government.