For the first time in six years, elected representatives are sitting around the Canterbury regional council table.
Canterbury regional councillors being sworn in. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young
The government sacked the elected council in 2010, saying it was taking too long to implement a water use strategy.
At this month's local body elections seven of the 13 councillors were elected, four were appointed by government and Ngai Tahu has chosen the remaining two.
At today's swearing-in, pro-farming rural councillors sided with the government appointees in choosing fellow appointee David Bedford as chair.
The city-based and left-leaning councillor Steve Lowndes was chosen to be deputy chair.