Proposals and outcomes

Submissions and recommendations

On 11 July 2018 the Southland District Council considered a report that set out a series of recommendations from the Hearings Panel. It considered submissions received on its initial proposal, regarding representation arrangements for both Council and its constituent community boards, to apply for the local elections to be held on 12 October 2019. The Council received 153 submissions on its proposal.

In relation to the proposal regarding council representation of 12 councillors elected from five wards

  • more than 60 submissions were in favour of the Council’s proposal
  • 12 submissions opposed the proposal without commenting on preference
  • several submissions preferred either more or fewer number of councillors, or councillors elected at large
  • about 10 submitters commented on proposed ward boundary changes
  • more than 90 submitters supported the Stewart Island/Rakiura remaining as an island community of interest and retaining a ward councillor.

Regarding the proposal for eight community boards covering the district

  • over 40 submissions supported the proposal
  • a further 31 submitters supported the proposal with the addition of a ninth community board by splitting the proposed Taramea Te Waewae community board in two
  • two submitters considered the present Wallacetown community board should remain with an extended boundary
  • one submitter argued for the creation of a new community board in the Ohai Railway area
  • one submitter requested a name change for the proposed Takitimu community board
  • seven submitters argued the number of elected members on the Stewart Island/Rakiura community board be increased from four to six
  • approximately 10 submitters requested consideration be given to changes to community board boundaries
  • 17 submitters requested community boards be subdivided for electoral purposes
  • 59 submitters opposed the proposal – of those 21 requested that the current system of community boards and community development area subcommittees be retained
  • several submitters commented on matters outside of the representation review,
  • including how the proposed governance structure will work, suggestions regarding possible amalgamation with neighbouring councils and engaging with people in local communities.

Final proposal

Having considered all of the submissions, the Council resolved to adopt its initial proposal as the Council’s final proposal, subject to the following amendments:

  • adding an additional community board by separating the proposed Taramea-Te Waewae community board into two – the Oraka-Aparima community board and the Tuatapere-Te Waewae community board
  • increasing the number of elected members on the Stewart Island/Rakiura community boards from four to six
  • the proposed Takitimu community board be renamed the Wallace-Takitimu community board
  • alter the boundaries of the proposed Waihopai-Toetoe and Oreti community boards.

The Council considered these changes are appropriate for the following reasons

  • the proposed Oraka-Aparima and Tuatapere-Te Waewae community boards have better defined separate communities of interest, this is also in line with the intention of community boards not just being based around a township but incorporating a wider rural area as well
  • increasing the number of elected members on the Stewart Island/Rakiura community board from four to six will provide more effective representation, as there are more than 70 groups on the island which would mean a smaller number of elected members
    there are likely to be more occasions when conflicts of interest would arise
  • changing the name of the proposed Takitimu community board to Wallace-Takitimu reflects the history of the area
  • altering the boundary between the proposed Oreti community board and the proposed Waihopai-Toetoe community board to include in Waihopai-Toetoe the communities of Te Tipua, Mabel Bush, Roslyn Bush, Rakahouka and Grove Bush better reflects the school, sporting community and service links for these communities.

Reasons for the support or rejection of submissions

Wards and councillors

The informal pre-consultation showed that the majority of people supported the current structure of 12 councillors elected from five wards. This was reflected in the submissions received with over 60 supporting the initial proposal.

The council rejected the submissions which called for either more or fewer councillors, or the wards being too large or the councillors being elected from single wards or at large.

Council considered the initial proposal which is based on the current arrangements that have been in place for six years, work well, are readily understood and provide effective representation to Southland residents and ratepayers.

Two submitters asked that Dipton remain in the Winton-Wallacetown ward and one asked that Wrights Bush remain in the Winton-Wallacetown ward.

In order to achieve compliance with the +/- 10% fair representation rule, the Council, in the initial proposal, extended the boundary of the current Mararoa-Waimea ward to south of Dipton and altered the boundary between the Waiau-Aparima and Winton-Wallacetown ward to keep the township of Wallacetown in the Winton-Wallacetown ward.

Several submitters also asked that Te Tipua, Mabel Bush, Roslyn Bush, Rakahouka and Grove Bush be moved to the Waihopai-Toetoe ward from the Winton Wallacetown ward. The Council rejected these submissions as they would not meet the requirements of fair representation.

The reason for the ward boundary adjustments in the initial proposal and confirmed in the final proposal is to achieve compliance with the fair representation requirements. More than 90 submitters supported the proposal that Stewart Island/Rakiura remain as an island community of interest.

The initial proposal, which is confirmed as the final proposal, achieves compliance with fair representation except for Stewart Island/Rakiura which Council considers should remain as an island community of interest.

Community boards

In addition to the submissions that were accepted, 17 submitters asked for guaranteed representation on the community boards for smaller towns. The council rejected these submissions. Subdivisions within a community board area are allowed but they must meet the +/- 10% rule.

The nature of the dispersal of population in smaller settlements and rural areas does not lend itself to communities that would fit into the +/- 10% fair representation of those communities.

There is also a risk that subdivisions restrict board members’ focus to the areas that elected them rather than ensuring they consider the wider community of the board area. 59 submitters opposed the proposal – of those 21 requested that the current system of community boards and community development area subcommittees be retained.

Following consideration of the submissions, the council rejected these submissions. The Council wishes to see equity of representation across Southland district by having district-wide coverage of community boards, enabling local decision-making across the District.

In the pre-consultation 95% of responders agreed that community boards should cover the whole of the District. With the addition of a ninth community board to the final proposal more than 70 submitters support the proposal. The Council believes this model better reflects the community feedback on communities of interest and effective representation. 

The final proposal for Council representation and Community Board representation  

 

 

 

 

 

Communities of Interest

It is proposed the Council comprises 12 members elected from five wards, and the Mayor. The five wards reflect the following identified communities of interest.

Ward Communities of interest
Mararoa-Waimea Ward Ardlussa, Athol, Balfour, Benmore, Caroline, Cascade Creek, Castlerock, Cattle Flat, Dipton, Dipton West, Five Rivers, Freshford, Garston, Glenaray, Glenure, Hollyford, Jamestown, Josephville, Kingston Crossing, Lintley, Longridge, Longridge North, Lowther, Lumsden, Manapouri, Mandeville, Milford Sound, Mossburn, Nokomai, Otapiri, Otapiri Gorge, Parawa, Potters, Riversdale, Saint Patricks, Sandstone, Te Anau, The Dale, The Key, Waikaia, Waimea, Waiparu, Waipounamu, Wendon, Wendonside
Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward All of Stewart Island/Rakiura, the surrounding Islands and Ruapuke Island
Waiau-Aparima Ward Aparima, Avondale, Bayswater, Birchwood, Blackmount, Clifden, Colac Bay/Oraka, Crawfords, Cromarty, Drummond, Dunearn, Eastern Bush, Ermedale, Fairfax, Feldwick, Five Roads, Gladfield, Gropers Bush, Gummies Bush, Happy Valley, Hazletts, Heddon Bush, Isla Bank, Longwood, Merrivale, Monowai, Nightcaps, Ohai, Opio, Orawia, Orepuki, Otahu Flat, Otahuti, Otaitai Bush, Otautau, Pahia, Papatotara, Piko Piko, Port Craig, Pourakino Valley, Pukemaori, Raymonds Gap, Ringway, Riverton/Aparima, Round Hill, Ruahine, Scotts Gap, Spar Bush, Taramoa, Te Oneroa, Te Tua, Te Waewae, Thornbury, Tihaka, Tinkertown, Tuatapere, Waianiwa, Waihoaka, Waikouro, Waimatuku, Waipango, Wairio, Wakapatu, Woodlaw, Wreys Bush, Wrights Bush
Waihopai-Toetoe Ward Ashers, Brydone, Bush Siding, Chaslands, Curio Bay, Dacre, Edendale, Fortification, Fortrose, Glenham, Gorge Road, Haldane, Kamahi, Kapuka, Kapuka South, Kennington, Longbush, Mataura Island, Menzies Ferry, Mimihau, Mokoreta, Mokotua, Morton Mains, Niagara, Ota Creek, Otara, Oteramika, Oware, Pine Bush, Progress Valley, Pukewao, Quarry Hills, Redan, Rimu, Seaward Downs, Slope Point, Te Peka, Timpanys, Titiroa, Tokanui, Tuturau, Waiarikiki, Waikawa, Waikawa Valley, Waimahaka, Waimatua, Waituna, Woodlands, Wyndham
Winton-Wallacetown Ward Branxholme, Browns, Centre Bush, Gap Road, Glencoe, Grove Bush, Hedgehope, Heenans Corner, Hokonui, Kauana, Lady Barkly, Limehills, Lochiel, Lorneville, Mabel Bush, Makarewa, Makarewa Junction, Northope, Oporo, Oreti Plains, Pukemutu, Rakahouka, Roslyn Bush, Ryal Bush, South Hillend, Springhills, Te Tipua, Thomsons Crossing, Tussock Creek, Waitane, Wallacetown, West Plains, Wilsons Crossing, Winton

Member representation population

The population that each member will represent is as follows.

Ward Population (2013 census) Members Population per member
Mararoa-Waimea Ward 7803 3 2601
Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward 384 1 384
Waiau-Aparima Ward 8139 3 2713
Waihopai-Toetoe Ward 5421 2 2711
Winton-Wallacetown Ward 7890 3 2630
Total 29637 12 2469

Please Note:

In accordance with section 19V(2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each member represents must be within the range of 2469 +/- 10% (2223 to 2715), unless particular community of interest considerations justify otherwise. Only the representation of the Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward falls outside the stipulated range. The Council considers that the Stewart Island Rakiura/Ward warrants a member under section 19V(3)(a)(i) as it is an island community of interest.

Community Boards

It is proposed that nine community boards be elected. The nine community boards will be

Community board Area of community
Ardlussa Community Board Ardlussa, Balfour, Cattle Flat, Freshford, Glenaray, Glenure, Kingston Crossing, Longridge, Longridge North, Mandeville, Potters, Riversdale, Saint Patricks, Sandstone, Waikaia, Waimea, Waiparu, Waipounamu, Wendon, Wendonside
Fiordland Community Board Cascade Creek, Hollyford, Jamestown, Manapouri, Milford Sound, Te Anau, The Dale, The Key
Northern Community Board Athol, Castlerock, Five Rivers, Garston, Josephville, Lintley, Lowther, Lumsden, Mossburn, Nokomai, Parawa
Oraka-Aparima Community Board Colac Bay/Oraka, Ermedale, Fairfax, Gropers Bush, Gummies Bush, Hazletts, Longwood, Otaitai Bush, Pourakino Valley, Riverton/Aparima, Round Hill, Ruahine, Taramoa, Thornbury, Tihaka, Waianiwa, Waimatuku, Waipango, Wakapatu, Wrights Bush
Oreti Community Board Benmore, Branxholme, Browns, Caroline, Centre Bush, Dipton, Dipton West, Gap Road, Glencoe, Hedgehope, Heenans Corner, Hokonui, Josephville, Kauana, Lady Barkly, Limehills, Lochiel, Lorneville, Makarewa, Makarewa Junction, Northope, Oporo, Oreti Plains, Otapiri, Otapiri Gorge, Pukemutu, Ryal Bush, South Hillend, Springhills, Thomsons Crossing, Tussock Creek, Waitane, Wallacetown, West Plains, Wilsons Crossing, Winton
Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board All of Stewart Island Rakiura, the surrounding Islands and Ruapuke Island
Tuatapere-Te Waewae Community Board Birchwood, Blackmount, Clifden, Cromarty, Eastern Bush, Feldwick, Happy Valley, Merrivale, Monkey Island, Monowai, Orawia, Orepuki, Otahu Flat, Pahia, Papatotara, Piko Piko, Port Craig, Pukemaori, Raymonds Gap, Round Hill, Te Oneroa, Te Tua, Te Waewae, Tuatapere, Waihoaka 
Waihopai-Toetoe Community Board Ashers, Brydone, Bush Siding, Chaslands, Curio Bay, Dacre, Edendale, Fortification, Fortrose, Glenham, Gorge Road, Grove Bush, Haldane, Kamahi, Kapuka, Kapuka South, Kennington, Longbush, Mabel Bush, Mataura Island, Menzies Ferry, Mimihau, Mokoreta, Mokotua, Morton Mains, Niagara, Ota Creek, Otara, Oteramika, Oware, Pine Bush, Progress Valley, Pukewao, Quarry Hills, Rakahouka, Redan, Rimu, Roslyn Bush, Seaward Downs, Slope Point, Te Peka, Te Tipua, Timpanys, Titiroa, Tokanui, Tuturau, Waiarikiki, Waikawa, Waikawa Valley, Waimahaka, Waimatua, Waituna, Woodlands, Wyndham
Wallace-Takitimu Community Board Aparima, Avondale, Bayswater, Crawfords, Drummond, Dunearn, Five Roads, Gladfield, Heddon Bush, Isla Bank, Nightcaps, Ohai, Opio, Otahuti, Otautau, Ringway, Scotts Gap, Spar Bush, Tinkertown, Waikouro, Wairio, Woodlaw, Wreys Bush

Ward members appointed

Community board Number of members from which ward
Fiordland Community Board 1 member appointed from the Mararoa Waimea Ward
Northern Community Board 1 member appointed from the Mararoa Waimea Ward
Ardlussa Community Board 1 member appointed from the Mararoa Waimea Ward
Wallace-Takitimu Community Board 1 member appointed from the Waiau Aparima Ward
Tuatapere-Te Waewae Community Board 1 member appointed from the Waiau Aparima Ward
Oraka-Aparima Community Board 1 member appointed from the Waiau Aparima Ward
Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board 1 member appointed from the Stewart Island Rakiura Ward

The Fiordland, Northern, Ardlussa, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Wallace-Takitimu, Tuatapere-Te Waewae and Oraka-Aparima community boards will each elect six members. They will not be subdivided for electoral purposes. They will each have one appointed member as follows

Oreti Community Board

The Oreti Community Board will elect eight members. One member will be appointed to the board from a ward in which the board is situated. It will not be subdivided for electoral purposes.

Waihopai-Toetoe Community Board

The Waihopai-Toetoe Community Board will elect seven members. One member will be appointed to the board from a ward in which the board is situated. It will not be subdivided for electoral purposes.

Further information

Copies of Southland District Council’s Final Proposal and maps setting out the proposed wards and community boards may be viewed and obtained from Southland District Council offices at:

  • 15 Forth Street, Invercargill
  • 10 Ayr Street, Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island
  • 117 Palmerston Street, Riverton
  • 1 Wemyss Street, Winton
  • 176 Main Street, Otautau
  • 116 Town Centre, Te Anau
  • 24 Milford Crescent, Te Anau
  • 18 Diana Street, Lumsden
  • 24 Balaclava Street, Wyndham