Review of Representation Arrangements for the 2010 Local Authority Elections

Review of Representation Arrangements for the 2010 Local Authority Elections

The Waikato District Council is preparing a proposal for the Local Government Commission in respect of a review of its representation arrangements for the triennial local authority elections to be held in 2010. This review is required due to changes to the Northern boundary as a result of the Auckland Super City Structure whereby subject to confirmation by the Local Government Commission, Waikato District Council would incorporate part of the Franklin District.

Council Representation
At the Council meeting of 15 December 2009, the Waikato District Council resolved to retain 11 wards but to increase the number of Councillors to 14 plus the Mayor.

The proposed wards, the number of representatives and their populations are as follows:
 

In accordance with section 19V (2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each member represents should be within the range of 4,145 plus or minus 10% (3,730 to 4,560). With the exception of Whangamarino (10.8% variance), all other wards meet this criteria.

It is proposed to include two new Wards in the North: Onewhero-Tuakau and “Franklin 1” (which still needs a name as the southern Ward for the Auckland Supercity is called Franklin). Other than Tamahere and the Onewhero-Tuakau Wards, all ward boundaries have changed, being geographically larger and the Hukanui and Whangape Wards have been incorporated into other wards. These changes have been required to meet the population requirements of the Local Electoral Act 2001. A brief description of the wards is as follows:
· Whangamarino Ward - incorporates Mangatangi, Miranda, Maramarua, Kopuku, Meremere, Mercer, Pokeno, Island Block, Whangamarino, Te Kauwhata and Rangiriri;

· Hapuakohe Ward includes - Waerenga, Taniwha, Matahuru, Waiterimu, Te Hoe, Mangawara, Orini, Netherby, Gordonton and Whitikahu;

· Huntly Ward - includes Huntly, Pukekapia, Mahuta and Ohinewai;

· Ngaruawahia Ward - includes Ngaruawahia, Horotiu, Hopuhopu, Taupiri, Komakorau and Horsham Downs;

· Raglan Ward - includes Okete, Te Uku, Te Hutewai, Te Mata, Ruapuke, Te Papatapu, Makomako;

· Newcastle Ward - includes Te Kowhai, Rotokauri, Waikeri Marae and Whatawhata;

· Whaingaroa Ward - includes Waikokowai, Pukemiro, Glen Massey, Lake Whangape, Ruawaro, Matira, Waimai, Te Akau, Ruakiwi, Dunmore, Waingaro, Waitetuna;

· Eureka Ward - includes Eureka, Puketaha, Newstead, Matangi, Tauwhare Pa and Scotsmans Valley;

· Tamahere Ward - includes Tamahere;

· Onewhero-Tuakau Ward - includes Naike, Waikaretu, Glen Murray, Limestone Downs, Orton, Onewhero, Tuakau and Port Waikato;

· “Franklin 1” Ward includes Paparata Happy Valley, Mangatawhiri, Pukekohe East, Aka Aka, Whiriwhiri and Hoods Landing;

Reasoning
In reaching its decision on the representation arrangements, the Council considered that the rural/urban nature of the District and the size of the District were best suited to a ward structure. Council considered that an at large structure might favour urban areas over rural areas and that this could give rise to ineffective representation.

The Council based its decision predominantly on the population criteria required by the Local Electoral Act. The Council considered that there were no other community of interest considerations that would impact on a population-based solution.

Community Board Representation
The Council considered that in the interests of fair representation, the Community Boards for Onewhero-Tuakau, Ngaruawahia, Raglan and Huntly should be retained. The proposal provides for the boundary for the Raglan Community Board to be increased to include the entire new ward area. All other Community board boundaries have been retained without amendment.

Council has held discussions with the Waiuku-Awhitu Community Board regarding appropriate representation in the “Franklin 1” Ward and is considering the formation of several Community Committees.

The Council considered that the community boards all represented clear communities of interest and therefore should be elected at large within their defined Community Board areas.

A summary of the Community Boards is as follows:

Further Information
Further details on the proposed representation arrangements and a map of the proposed boundaries are available for inspection at the Council offices in Ngaruawahia, Huntly and Raglan. Copies of the information are available on request from Waikato District Council, Private Bag 544, Ngaruawahia.

Submissions
Any interested person or organisation may lodge a written submission to the above proposal. Submissions should be addressed to: Corporate Planner, Waikato District Council, 15 Galileo Street, Ngaruawahia, Private Bag 544, Ngaruawahia, fax 07 824 8091, or email consult@waidc.govt.nz Submissions should clearly state your name, address, telephone number, and email address (if you have one) and should reach the Council no later than 4.00pm on 15 January 2010.

Council will read and consider all submissions.

Process
After considering the submissions, the Council will prepare a final proposal for consideration by the Local Government Commission.

The Local Government Commission could choose to support or reject the proposal. A final decision will be made by the Local Government Commission for public release on 1 March 2010.

G J Ion
Chief Executive