Representation Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

• 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.