Auckland Council is preparing to seek feedback on the number of elected members Tāmaki Makaurau has, how they are elected, and where electoral boundaries lie, ahead of next year’s local body elections.
Aucklanders will soon be able to have their say on an initial proposal to adjust some boundaries and increase local representation when public consultation opens on 8 July.
This feedback will help inform the Governing Body when it considers a final representation proposal in September, in keeping with the Local Electoral Act 2001.
Councillor Julie Fairey, chair of the Joint Governance Working Party, says it’s important for Aucklanders to consider how they want future governance to look – even if the proposed adjustments in this review won’t affect who represents them personally.
“This consultation gives people an important opportunity to tell us how we can improve our representation structure and better represent them in the future.”
To determine fair representation on local boards and the Governing Body, the council uses a population-based ratio so that each councillor represents the same number of people in wards (within a margin of 10 per cent), and local board members represent an equal number of people within local board areas, or subdivisions.
Exceptions are made to keep connected neighbourhoods or ‘communities of interest’ together, and to provide less-populated areas with effective representation as well.
Where possible, ward boundaries (defining the areas that councillors represent) should be aligned with local board boundaries (defining local board representation).
In the council’s initial proposal, some boundary changes to wards are being considered to achieve more balanced representation and align them with local board boundaries.
They include the central Auckland wards of Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, Waitematā and Gulf, Ōrākei and Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, and adjustments to the North Shore and Albany ward boundaries.
For local boards, there are minor changes proposed to the boundaries between Upper Harbour and Devonport-Takapuna, Upper Harbour and Kaipātiki, and Puketāpapa and Maungakiekie-Tāmaki.
More significant subdivision changes are being considered for Rodney and Howick local boards, including new subdivisions. This will reduce the size of subdivisions that have experienced significant growth to ensure elected members are representing a fair number of people and the needs of changing ‘communities of interest’ are able to be well represented.
Two more representatives for Howick are proposed, which will bring the total number of local board members from 149 to 151.
In other local board areas – Hibiscus and Bays, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Franklin – minor exceptions to the fair representation rule based on population will be considered so communities of interest can stay together.
Once a final proposal for the current review on How we represent you has been approved, a window is available for the public to lodge objections or appeals in October.
The Local Government Commission will consider those, and the council’s final proposal, before deciding whether to approve changes by April 2025.
Aucklanders are encouraged to read about the changes proposed in the consultation document available online from early July, then give feedback at akhaveyoursay.nz/represent.
To find our more and have your say on How we represent you:
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Online: visit nz/represent to read the consultation document, find upcoming webinars and provide online feedback.
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Events: register your interest to attend a webinar or community event by filling out event registration form here akhaveyoursay.nz.
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In your community: visit your local library, council service location or local board office.
Feedback must be received by 8 August 2024.
