Whakatāne District community members will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the new proposed Council representation structure when public consultation opens next week.
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 involves 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.
At a Council meeting on Tuesday, 17 August, the Mayor and Councillors agreed on a proposed new draft structure and now require feedback from the community to help inform the final decision.
In May this year, Council also voted to include Māori wards as part of their representation, which must be included in the overarching representation structure of Council.
Mayor Judy Turner says it is critical that they hear views from a wide range of Whakatāne District community members.
“Council’s review of its representation arrangements is one of the most significant pieces of work we do every six years, as it sets up the way Council and Community Boards are elected,” she explains.
“This year is even more significant given the decision to include Māori wards as part of our local arrangements. We need to hear your views on all aspects of the proposed structure, so please have a look at what is being proposed and tell us what you think.”
Several options for the new structure were reviewed, and Council's preferred draft option is to keep the current structure of one Mayor and 10 Councillors, and the four current Community Boards.
However, there are some key changes within the proposed new structure including:
- separate General wards and Māori wards
- even General ward Councillors and three Māori ward Councillors
- from four General wards to three General wards
- three Māori wards
The preferred option is to keep the four Community Boards. Each board will be made up of six members and one Councillor. The Community Board boundaries will align with the new General ward boundaries.
Public submissions on the representation review initial proposal open on Monday, 30 August and close Wednesday, 6 October. All relevant COVID-19 Alert Level guidelines will be followed, with consultation focused online during Alert Levels 3 and 4.