The Mayor and Councillors have adopted the final structure for the representation review at a Council meeting held on Thursday, 11 November.
Some changes were made to the initial proposal that went out for consultation, based on feedback received.
Key changes to the initial proposal include:
- Changing the 'Whakatāne-Ōhope Māori Ward' name to 'Kapu te rangi Māori Ward'
- Changing the 'Tāneatua Communities Board' name to 'Tāneatua Community Board'
- Transferring the four meshblocks of the Waiōhau area from the Rangitāiki Māori Ward to the Toi ki uta Māori Ward
- Transferring the one meshblock of the Te Mahoe area from the Te Urewera General Ward to the Rangitāiki General Ward
Whakatāne District Council is required by law to undertake a representation review every six years to ensure people living in the area are fairly represented by their elected members. The representation review involved deciding the number of Councillors for General and Māori wards, whether Councillors are elected from wards or ‘at large’ across the whole district, or a mix of both; and whether there should be Community Boards.
On Thursday, 14 October, Council reviewed all submissions made on the proposal, with three submitters presenting their submissions in the Council hui held via Zoom.
Mayor Judy Turner says Council's review of its representation arrangements is one of the most significant pieces of work undertaken, as it sets up the way Council and Community Boards are elected.
"This year's representation review is even more significant given the decision to include Māori wards as part of our local arrangements," she says. "I would like to acknowledge all those who provided feedback on the proposed structure, and a special mihi to those who presented their submission at the Council hui."
The next step in the process is for the final proposal to be made available to the public for a one-month appeal period. After that time, any appeals or objections will be forwarded to the Local Government Commission to consider.
Find more information about the 2021 Whakatāne District Representation Review.