Representation review 2019

Mō tātou, ā, mō ngā uri ā muri ake nei

For us and our children after us

Southland District Council is proposing changes to how the Southland District will be governed, what number of representatives there are and how that representation is set up.

Why are we having a review?

The Local Electoral Act 2001 (the act) requires local authorities to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. Southland District Council last reviewed its arrangements in 2012 and is now reviewing them for the 2019 elections. More than 10,000 people in a District of nearly 30,000 people are not currently represented by a community board or a community development area subcommittee. Council believes we need to look at this.

As well as the rules set out in the act, Council has developed the following guiding principles for the development of its Initial Proposal:

  • community leadership
  • clear purpose
  • small council big community
  • full District coverage
  • equity of representation
  • District-wide framework for service delivery
  • localism – input and involvement
  • relationships first
  • streamlined delivery – reduce the moving parts
  • tailored and targeted delegations to meet the purpose
  • the organisation structure to reflect the governance structure

Council’s current community governance structure is also being reviewed. Information about this can be found in the Community Governance Reference Document.

What’s in the proposal?

The initial proposal is for Southland District Council to have five wards and 12 councillors.

  • Mararoa Waimea (three councillors)
  • Winton Wallacetown (three councillors)
  • Waiau Aparima (three councillors)
  • Waihopai Toetoe (two councillors)
  • Stewart Island Rakiura (one councillor)

There are currently eight community boards. Under the proposal the number of community boards would remain at eight but their boundaries have been redefined and enlarged to cover the entire District.

More detailed information is available in the Representation Review Initial Proposal consultation booklet.

The next steps

  • Submissions have now closed on the Council’s Initial Proposal on its Representation Review. Council received approximately 150 submissions with over 35 people wanting to be heard
  • A hearings panel comprising the Council and 3 other elected members heard the submissions on 18 June and then considered any changes to the proposal
  • Council adopted its final proposal on 11 July
  • Council gave public notice by 18 July of its final proposal
  • Those who made a submission on the initial proposal can appeal on matters relating to their original submission
  • If the Council’s final proposal differs from its initial proposal then anyone can object but they must state the matters they are objecting to
  • The Local Government Commission will then make a final determination

Local Government Commission determination

  • Six appeals and two objections were received against the Council’s final proposal
  • These appeals and objections were against
    • Replacement of the Community Development Area Subcommittees by Community Boards either generally or in particular areas
    • The boundary between the Northern and Oreti Community Board areas
    • Combining the existing Wallacetown Community Board with the Winton Community Board in a wider Oreti Community Board
  • A hearing of the Local Government Commission was held on 5 December 2018 and their final determination was issued on 7 March 2019.