REPRESENTATION REVIEW EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION FOR KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL

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1 REPRESENTATION REVIEW EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION FOR KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL

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3 Representation Review 3 SUMMARY The representation arrangements of a local authority are where effective democracy begins. Kaipara District Council s last formal representation review was conducted in 2012 where the significant change proposed was the addition of one councillor. The initial proposal in 2012 was based on nine councillors (plus the mayor), with councillors elected from the current three wards (two councillors from the Dargaville Ward, four councillors from the Otamatea Ward and three councillors from the West Coast/ Central Ward). After feedback through consultation, the only change was to alter the existing ward boundary between West Coast/Central Ward and the Otamatea Ward eastwards (which affected approximately 580 people). In the six years since the last review, Kaipara has performed strongly with our population and economy growing above the national average. This growth needs to be reflected in the review to ensure equal and fair representation for all those in the district. The Initial Proposal stage provides the detail and reasoning behind proposed changes and gives all residents and ratepayers the opportunity to have a say before a final decision is made. Any changes will apply to the next Kaipara District Council elections in 2019 and Through the proposed changes, Council is seeking a forward-looking democratic structure that will support our continued drive for prosperity and equity, while maintaining and protecting our unique and treasured environment. The proposal of a new Kaiwaka-Mangawhai ward allows for equal representation across the district. While we ve tried to look forward to future and proposed growth, there are restrictions as to what data we can use to inform this review. We are required to use population estimates as at 30 June 2017, which is based on the 2013 Census, however, we re able to review our wards and boundaries in three years time when we will use 2018 Census information, and will have an up to date grasp on the population movements across Kaipara and the country. Strong democratic representation at a meaningful community of interest level will empower communities to serve their own needs and aspirations while also contributing to decision making. Please take the time to read this proposal the Council is very interested to hear your thoughts on the proposed changes. Council staff are available to talk to interested community groups and stakeholders call us on if you would like to arrange a meeting. Following the publication of the Initial Proposal (Wednesday 1 August 2018), there is a one month submission period where you can have your say on the proposed changes. A submission form is included on page 11. The proposed changes included in the Initial Proposal are: 1. Creation of a new Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward; 2. Expand Otamatea Ward northwest to Tokatoka Road and includes Ruawai; 3. Dargaville Ward is unchanged; 4. Reduce West Coast/Central Ward (Tokatoka Road southeast to Otamatea Ward); 5. Has two councillors per ward; 6. No community boards to be established. Please make sure your submission reaches Kaipara District Council by 4.00pm on Friday 31 August 2018.

4 4 Representation Reveiw WHAT IS A REPRESENTATION REVIEW? The representation review, which is required by law 1 at least once every six years, looks at: the total number of councillors to be elected; the number of councillors to be elected per ward; and the number, boundaries and names of the wards where councillors will be elected from; whether community boards are established. Two decisions have already been made Is Māori representation being considered as part of this process? Māori representation via the establishment of dedicated Māori wards was one of the first steps taken prior to commencing the representation review. Council resolved in October 2017 to explore models of representation other than Māori wards, and at this time, work is continuing on this. Does this review include the electoral system? The choice of electoral system (First-Past-the-Post (FPP) or Single Transferable Voting (STV)) used for Council s elections was another step taken prior to commencing the representation review. Council resolved in May 2017 to retain the STV electoral system for the 2019 triennial election. WHAT THINGS HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED? Council has to carefully consider the following three factors when deciding on an Initial Proposal for public consultation: Communities of interest; Effective representation Fair representation Local Electoral Act (LEA) 2001

5 Representation Review 5 Communities of interest Council must ensure that the election of councillors provides effective representation of the various communities that make up the Kaipara District. Giving proper consideration to defining communities of interest is therefore a key part of the representation review process. However, the term community of interest is not defined in legislation (the Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA)). In reality, communities of interest can mean different things to different people and it can (and probably has) changed over time. The Council considered a range of factors when developing this proposal including: a sense of community identity and affiliations between towns and settlements; similarities in demographic, socio-economic and/or ethnic characteristics; land use and local history of the area; similarities in activities carried out in the area; and shared facilities such as schools, marae, shops and recreational facilities. Effective representation Once communities of interest have been identified, the Council is required to consider the extent that these communities of interest are geographically distinct and warrant specific representation. We then consider how these communities can be grouped together into wards to achieve effective representation for the people who live there. The wards make up the District and the ward councillors and mayor, collectively are the elected members of the Kaipara District Council. In deciding on effective representation, the Council has to consider questions in relation to accessibility, size and configuration of a ward including: would people have reasonable access to their councillors and vice versa? would councillors be able to easily attend public meetings in their ward and provide reasonable opportunities for the people who live there to have face-face meetings? would the number of councillors, coupled with their relative wards, enable councillor workload to be shared appropriately? Fair representation After the Council has identified proposed wards, the LEA requires that each councillor must represent approximately the same number of people, plus or minus 10%. The current status quo number of councillors and wards does not meet the plus or minus 10% rule, and is discussed further overleaf.

6 6 Representation Reveiw WHAT IS THE STATUS QUO? The Kaipara District has one mayor who is elected at large. And eight councillors are elected from three wards, with no community boards. Ward Population Councillors Average Fits Rule % Variation Dargaville 5, ,540 Yes -9.8% Otamatea 9, ,223 No % West Coast-Central 7, ,593 Yes -7.92% The map below shows the current wards. Wards: Dargaville Otamatea West Coast-Central DARGAVILLE RUAWAI PAPAROA MANGAWHAI MAUNGATUROTO KAIWAKA

7 Representation Review 7 WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED? We are now consulting with our communities on an Initial Proposal that meets the legislative requirements. This proposal is for Kaipara District Council to retain eight councillors represented from four wards, with no community boards. The mayor is elected at large and represents the whole district. The proposed four wards are: Ward Dargaville - Unchanged Kaiwaka-Mangawhai -New ward Otamatea - Boundary change Communities of interest The area comprising the township of Dargaville. The area comprising the southeast section of Kaipara, including Kaiwaka, Mangawhai township and Mangawhai Heads and surrounding area, Oruawharo and the Oneriri Peninsula and Hakaru. The area comprising the SH 12 townships from Tokatoka back to the Byrnderwyns, including Ruawai, Matakohe, Paparoa, Maungaturoto, Taipuha, Ararua, Pahi, Whakapirau and Tinopai. West Coast-Central - Boundary change The area comprising the area surrounding Dargaville, through to Waipoua Forest, including Kaihu, Aranga, Donnelly s Crossing, Mamaranui, Omamari, Bayly s Beach, Hoanga, Tangowahine, Tangiteroria, Te Kopuru, Pouto, Turiwiri and Aropohue. The population that each councillor will represent is as follows: Ward Population Councillors Average Fits Rule % Variation Dargaville 5, ,540 Yes -9.8% Kaiwaka-Mangawhai 6, ,085 Yes +9.55% Otamatea 5, ,740 Yes -2.7% West Coast-Central 5, ,915 Yes +3.52% Total 22,530 8 (based on a population estimate of 22,530 as at 30 June ) The Initial Proposal complies with the fair representation criteria (the +/- 10% rule) for all proposed wards. Legislation does not allow for potential growth. However a further representation review can be investigated in three years time when the latest 2018 Census data would be available. 2 This number must be used as the latest population estimate available for the representation review.

8 8 Representation Reveiw The map below shows the proposed wards. Wards: Dargaville Mangawhai-Kaiwaka Otamatea West Coast-Central DARGAVILLE RUAWAI PAPAROA MANGAWHAI MAUNGATUROTO KAIWAKA WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Pop in to one of our drop-in sessions: Tuesday 07 August Saturday 11 August Tuesday 14 August Tokatoka War Memorial Hall, Ruawai Markets, Moir Street Mangawhai Maungaturoro Country Club, Bickerstaffe Rd Maungaturoto 6pm -7pm 9am onwards 6pm -7pm

9 Representation Review 9 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Submission period 1-31 August Public notice will be made on 1 August, followed by a one-month public submission period. This includes three drop in sessions, details of which are across the page. Hearings September 2018 (as required) 2 The Council will consider all submissions and hearings will be held for those who wish to present their submission in person to the Council. Final Proposal confirmed 9 October Following consideration of submissions, changes to the Initial Proposal can be made. A Final Proposal with or without any amendments, will be considered and adopted by the Council on 9 October Objection/Appeal period 12 October - 12 November Public notice of the Final Proposal will be made on 12 October There will be a one-month objection/appeal period, where any member of the public can make a formal objection (if the Final Proposal is an amended Initial Proposal), or an earlier submitter may appeal the Final Proposal (if the Final Proposal was the Initial Proposal). Local Government Commission 5 If an objection or appeal is received, the matter is automatically forwarded to the Local Government Commission for determination on how Kaipara will be represented. Any formal objections or appeals received will form part of the information sent to the Local Government Commission for consideration. Determination by Local Government Commission by 10 April If the matter is referred to the Local Government Commission, they are required to make a determination on Kaipara District Council s representation by 10 April The determination is final other than an appeal to the High Court on a point of law. Any appeal must be lodged within one month of the Local Government Commission s determination. Council s elections 12 October The 2019 Kaipara District Council elections will be based on the representation arrangements arrived at during the above representation review process.

10 10 Representation Reveiw HOW DO I HAVE MY SAY? You can make a submission online where you can also find the details of the Initial Proposal. Or simply fill out the form below. Online: haveyoursay@kaipara.govt.nz. We encourage online feedback as it helps keep costs down Mail: Chief Executive Officer Kaipara District Council Private Bag 1001 Dargaville 0310 Submissions close at 4pm on Friday 31 August Important Notes The questions in the feedback form are designed to be read in conjunction with the Representation Review 2018 Initial Proposal document. To assist in determining our final representation arrangements and the make-up of the wards, you can make a submission on: the number of wards; where the boundaries should be; the names of those wards; and the number of councillors overall and for each ward (remembering the population and ratios required by law); whether or not community boards should be established.

11 Representation Review 11 GIVING YOUR FEEDBACK Full Name: Organisation: (if giving feedback on behalf of) Postal Address: Phone: My current ward is: o DARGAVILLE o OTAMATEA o WEST COAST/CENTRAL (tick one which applies) I : o SUPPORT o OPPOSE (tick one which applies) the Council s proposed representation review arrangements for the 2019 elections (Initial Proposal). My reasoning for my above statement is Do you wish to speak to your submission? o YES o NO The hearings are scheduled for the week of the September As this submission form will be used to discuss relevant public feedback, it will be included as part of a public agenda.

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