Kaipara council representation review now taking appeal

 

Earlier last month Kaipara Regional Council voted to implement its initial proposal on its Kaipara boundary representation arrangements, prior to the 2019 elections.

After a number of submissions, and hearings with Council it has been decided that the initial proposal will be its final proposal for representation arrangements. 

Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, all local authorities are required to carry out reviews of their representation arrangements every six years. This consideration must take into account the community of interest, effective representation and fair representation. The Local Government Commission views community of interest as being the area to which one feels a sense of belonging and looks to for social service and economic support.

Rigorous debate throughout the Council meeting addressed many of the issues submitters raised, including the total number of councillors, alternative ward structures, adequate representation, and recognition of communities of interest.

A number of issues raised by submitters were ‘out of scope’ under the Local Electoral Act 2001, including use of outdated population data, lack of provision for future growth, rating per head of population and reduction to four councillors. While these topics generated dialogue, ultimately they were unable to be included in the decision-making process. 

The new ward structure ratio is four wards, with two councillors each (a total of 8 councillors per population, plus a mayor elected ‘at-large’.) 

Now that a final proposal has been selected, any person who has made a submission on the Council’s initial proposal may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision. An appeal must relate to the matters raised in that person’s submission. 

 Information and appeal forms can be found at kaipara.govt.nz/RepReview, by email to haveyoursay@kaipara.govt.nz, or in hardcopy. Appeal forms are also available from the Dargaville office at 42 Hokianga Road or Mangawhai office at The Hub, 6 Molesworth Drive.
 
Appeals should state your name, address, telephone number and email address (if you have one) and should reach the Council no later than 4pm on Monday November 12.