Review of 2019, 2022 local government election details under way in Kaipara District

Kaipara District Council Offices in Dargaville. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Consultation on political representation arrangements in the Kaipara has been given the green light by the district's elected officials.

Kaipara District Council is seeking public feedback on its proposal for representation arrangements for the 2019 and 2022 elections.

Council adopted its initial proposal and approved public consultation at its meeting in late July.

Representation arrangements include:
* The number of councillors to be elected to council
* Whether councillors are elected by wards or by the district as a whole
* The number and boundaries of wards and number of councillors that will represent them
* Whether or not to have community boards.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires local authorities to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years.

The last review in Kaipara was in 2012 for the 2013 and 2016 local elections, so council needs to undertake a review for the next two local government elections in 2019 and 2022.

Currently, the ratio of population to councillors deviates from the overall district ratio by +14.45 per cent in the Otamatea Ward, which covers Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Maungaturoto, Paparoa and surrounds.

This means Otamatea has too many people per councillor.

The Local Electoral Act does not permit deviation of more than 10 per cent, so the council has proposed having a new Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward, making four wards, with two councillors representing each.

Council's initial proposal for the representation review differs from the current scenario as follows:
* Creating a new Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward
* Expanding Otamatea Ward northwest to Tokatoka Road, including Ruawai
* Reducing West Coast-Central Ward (from Tokatoka Road southeast to Otamatea)
* Having two councillors per ward.

The proposal has no changes to the Dargaville ward, and the mayor is elected by the whole district.

The consultation will seek public input on whether Kaipara District Council should move forward with this proposal for representation change.

Consultation opened on Wednesday and closes on Friday August 31.

There will be drop in sessions where people can ask questions of councillors and staff, as well as fill in feedback forms.

Tuesday August 7 – Ruawai, Tokatoka War Memorial Hall, 6-7pm
Saturday August 11 – Mangawhai markets, Molesworth Drive, 9am onwards
Tuesday August 14 – Maungaturoto Country Club, Bickerstaffe Road, 6-7pm.

Submitters will also have the option of presenting their views at hearings scheduled for the week commencing September 10.

■ Email Rose Stirling if you have news that you would like to share with Northern Advocate readers. Rose.stirling@gmail.com.