Groups want ward change

Three community organisations have put their heads together in a battle against Napier City Council's decision to keep the at-large system of council elections, rather than wards.
The Pilot City Trust, Maraenui Community Council Trust and the Taradale and District Community Development Association, along with residents Derek Williams, Dave Taggart and Les Hewett, have all sent submissions to the Local Government Commission opposing Napier City Council's decision, and recommending the introduction of a part ward system for the next two city council elections.
Maxine Boag, who in September presented a submission from the Maraenui Community Council Trust urging the adoption of a ward or partial ward system, had already predicted Napier City Council's endorsement of the status quo.
"We all believe that the current system of electing 12 councillors from the city as a whole, rather than opting for a ward system is undemocratic and does not give fair representation to the diverse communities within Napier," said Ms Boag.
"The current council, elected at large from the city as a whole, is drawn from only seven of the 21 area units in Napier's electoral areas, and is heavily weighted in favour of the city's wealthier suburbs.
"Bluff Hill and Napier Hill together have six of the 12 councillors, plus the mayor, living within their boundaries. Three more live in Taradale and Greenmeadows.
"The rest of Napier has only three councillors living in their suburb.
"Napier is a city of enormous diversity in wealth, with a huge concentration of citizens living in the most deprived areas. The city's poorest areas, including Maraenui, parts of Tamatea, Onekawa and Marewa, have no representative on council.
"We believe that a ward or partial ward system is essential to bring our city together so we can work collaboratively to make Napier better for all of us," she said.
Cr Faye White said keeping the system as city-wide, rather than a ward system, was the way to go.
"In the last NRB survey, 70 percent of the population said they believed councillors got involved in the wider issues of the city under the current system.
"Because of Napier's compactness, bordering between the sea and the hills, we do get a sense of belonging, which is down to the very nature and size of our city.
"And under the present voting system we do take care of the economic welfare of our citizens," she said.
Napier is one of a small number of NZ cities who have opted for an at large system of council elections, rather than wards.