Representation Review
Last updated: 20 Aug, 2024 04:42pm
Initial Proposal
Background
What we need to know
How the Review works
Initial Proposal
On 26 June 2024, Carterton District Council reviewed its representation arrangements and resolved that the following Proposal applies for the Council elections to be held on 11 October 2025.
It is proposed that the Council comprises of eight [8] elected members, and the Mayor, all elected At Large [from the whole District].
Following public consultation on the Initial Proposal, Council’s Hearings Committee met on 20 August.
Council received a report and recommended the Proposal [you can download/view the Proposal and report or watch the meeting on YouTube.]
Background
Every six years councils must review how communities are represented in the make-up of their council.
A representation review looks at the structures in place, including the number of wards (electoral areas) and their boundaries, the number of elected members (councillors) representing each ward and the names of our wards.
The last representation review for Carterton District Council was completed in 2018 and retained the existing arrangements, Council having 8 Councillors elected at large (across the whole district). The District had moved from urban and rural wards in 2012, and had also changed the number of councillors in each ward in previous reviews.
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What we’ve already decided
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What we aren’t asking you for feedback on at this time
Some decisions have already been made relating to representation in our District, so we aren’t asking for your feedback on these aspects.
Electoral system
Council has already decided that our electoral system will remain FPP – First Past the Post.
Māori Ward
Council has also chosen not to establish a Māori Ward in our District for the 2025 election.
Representation Review
Council held public workshops in March, April, and June 2024 to discuss representation options for the review. The presentations given are available to read and download below.
| Title | Summary | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Representation Review Workshop, 13 March 2024 | A pdf format version of a presentation to Carterton District elected representatives on Wednesday 13 March 2024 seeking guidance on the forthcoming representation review, to help developing options for the community ahead of the informal engagement and Initial Proposal stages of consultation. | |
| Representation Review Workshop, Wednesday 24 April 2024 | A pdf format version of a presentation to Carterton District elected representatives on Wednesday 24 April 2024 seeking guidance on the forthcoming representation review, and form options for informal consultation. | |
| It’s Up To You: Carterton District Representation Review | A pdf format version of the print submission form for the 2024 Carterton District Council representation review. | |
| Representation Review Statement of Proposal | A pdf version of the Statement of Proposal document for the 2024 Representation Review Initial Proposal for Carterton District Council. | |
| Representation Review: Youth Council workshop | … |
What we need to know
Council requires community feedback to make these decisions:
- How many councillors there should be on Council
- Whether councillors should be elected by ward, or a combination of by ward and across the whole district (at large), and the names of the wards.
- Whether or not to have any community boards, and if so, the number, boundaries and names of the boards, and the number of members for each board.
To help make the decisions, we need to consider the following questions:
What options is the Council considering?
We have three main options for your feedback
- Maintain the status quo: eight Councillors elected At Large [to represent the District as a whole.]
- An “urban” ward with five Councillors, and a “rural” ward of three Councillors
- One “urban” ward with three Councillors; a “rural” ward with two councillors, and Three “At Large” councillors.
However, we also want to hear your thoughts on how you feel you are being represented. We welcome any ideas on our representation arrangements.
What is a community of interest?
We want to know what communities of interest you think exist in Carterton. Factors that may define a community of interest include:
- geographical features
- economic activities
- shared facilities and services
- distinctive history
- transport routes
- community activities and focal points
- the rohe or takiwā of local iwi or hapu.
Any or all of these may produce a sense of community identity.
What are Carterton's communities of interest?
Council needs to ensure its representation structure provides fair and effective representation for individuals and communities. We need to hear from our community on your thoughts on our communities of interest.
How should councillors be elected?
Currently, the mayor and councillors are elected at-large – across the whole district.
Council can choose to elect councillors by either a ward system, or combination of at large and wards.
In a ward system, voters may only vote for candidates standing for the ward they live in/qualify to vote in. This system aims for each of the different communities of interest in Carterton to have guaranteed representation on Council.
A mixed system, where some councillors are elected from wards and some at-large, can be seen to provide a balance between representation of district-wide interests and ward concerns.
How many councillors should Council have?
Under the current arrangements, the Remuneration Authority (an independent agency) sets the total remuneration pool that is paid to the mayor and councillors. This is then divided among the councillors elected. This means that increasing or decreasing the number of councillors does not have a direct impact on rates.
Does Carterton need or want community boards?
A community board is a separately elected body that works on local issues. Its powers and duties are mainly those that Council chooses to delegate to it.
Council has no community boards at present.
The cost of running a community board is usually funded by the ratepayers in the area the board represents.
If it is decided Carterton District should have community boards, we need to determine the number of boards, their boundaries and the number of members.
Community boards can have between four and 12 members. At least four must be elected members. The number of members appointed by Council must be less than half the total number of members.
What does fair representation mean?
One of the key requirements for fair representation of electors is that each elected member should represent roughly the same number of people – this helps ensure that all votes are of approximately equal value.
The population of the District, divided by the number of members to be elected, must produce a figure no more than 10% greater or smaller than the population of the district, divided by the total of elected members.
For example, if the population of a district is 100,000 people and there are 10 elected councillors, the arrangement of councillors must be organised so that each councillor represents around 10,000 people (+ or – 10%).
This is a key factor in working out the boundaries and number of councillors per ward.
How has our population changed?
Population is the main driver of fair representation.
Statistics New Zealand information shows a rise in Carterton’s population over the last 10 years.
Visit the Statistics New Zealand website for further information.
You can see how our population changed in the 10 years to 2023 through our interactive map of Carterton.
How the Review Works
Review process timeline & target dates
May
Early feedback. Pre-engagement community survey.
June
Council decides initial proposal.
July
Formal consultation.
August
Hearings.
November
Last date to notify decision.
Frequently asked questions
Can we have more or fewer Councillors? Would fewer Councillors mean lower rates?
Part of the review considers the number of Councillors representing the District. Legislation allows councils to have between five and 29 councillors. Carterton has had eight councillors plus a mayor for a number of years now.
Fewer Councillors would not mean lower rates. Councillors’ pay and some expenses are covered by a pool determined independently by the Remuneration Authority. That pool stays the same regardless of the number of representatives.
What’s is the review? Why is it happening?
We want to hear your thoughts on Carterton District Council elections for 2025 and 2028. We’re required by law to hold a review of representation in our District every six years, and the next one is due now.
Why do I need to know?
We need to ensure there is fair and effective representation for individuals and communities across Carterton.
Representation is about understanding our community and how individuals and groups get their voice heard at Council.
It’s important that we take the community’s views into consideration when making these decisions. This preliminary consultation is your initial opportunity to contribute.
Later, after Council notifies its Initial Proposal (in June) the Local Electoral Act 2001 gives individuals and community groups the right to make a formal written submission to Council on its proposed representation arrangements, as well as the right to be heard if they wish.
There is also the right to appeal or object to decisions on the proposed representation arrangements. The Local Government Commission will then make a binding decision.
What’s the current situation?
At present, Carterton District residents elect a Mayor and eight Councillors who represent the District “at large”. There are no separate wards, and there are no Community Boards.
How can I contribute?
We want your ideas now! We’re taking feedback until Sunday 26 May. Those ideas will help Council make decisions on the final shape of our district for the elections. We’ll seek more feedback during formal consultation in July. Fill out the survey below or contact us at submissions@cdc.govt.nz.
What is a ward?
A ward is a specific area of a District or City council which represents a particular community of interest.
When looking at representation arrangements, we must ensure that the residents of any wards receive fair and effective representation. This includes reviewing the ward boundaries, the number of councillors, and ensuring that the population per councillor in each ward is within +/- 10% of the population per councillor across the district.
What does "at large" mean?
“At Large” refers to elected representatives, such as in Carterton, who are elected to represent the whole District, rather than a ward, which is part of a District or City Council.
Can we consider a Māori ward at this stage?
The Council confirmed in October 2023 that it would not establish a Māori ward for the 2025 election. That decision remains in place and is outside the scope of this Representation Review.
What happens next?
- The preliminary consultation closed on Sunday 26 May.
- On June 5, Council held a public workshop to receive feedback and confirm preferred option
- On 26 June, Council resolved to adopt its Initial Proposal.
- The decision and the Initial Proposal are now being publicly notified, on this website and in local media.
- The Initial Proposal is now open for submissions. Submissions will close on Sunday, 4 August.
- Hearings and deliberations will take place once submissions close, if required.
- Council will then adopt the Final Proposal at a meeting, likely in September.
- The last date for public appeals/objections on Final Proposal is 3 December 2024.
More Information
Possible Wards and Population Growth Maps of Carterton
Interactive map charting Carterton’s population changes from 2013 to 2023 and possible urban & rural wards.