Tauranga new city council has its first meeting today where the legal power to operate the city is handed over from chief executive Garry Poole to new mayor Greg Brownless and the new city council.

Garry Poole will chair the meeting until after the new council adopts standing orders, the legally required national rules by which New Zealand local bodies operate.

Also expected from the first meeting are the appointment and election of council committees and chairs.

The election of the deputy mayor is not required as Kelvin Clout was appointed at the swearing in ceremony last month – although the law does provide the council the legal ability to outvote the mayor's decision.

The meeting begins at 1pm in the city council chambers.