Initial Proposal for representation arrangement for the 2025 and 2028 local government elections
Buller District Council is commencing a consultative procedure to obtain community views on Council’s Initial Proposal for representation arrangements in the Buller District.
Under sections 19H and 19Jof the Local Electoral Act 2001 the Buller District Council is required to carry out a review of its representation arrangements every six years.
On 31 July 2024 Council resolved to adopt as its Initial Proposal for representation arrangements for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections the following:
That Buller District keeps its existing representation arrangements (the status quo) for the local government elections in 2025 and 2028.
This means that:
- Council will comprise ten (10) members elected from the three (3) wards and the Mayor elected at large.
- The district will be divided into three (3) wards: the Seddon Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; the Inangahua Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; and the Westport Ward, represented by six (6) Councillors.
- There will be an Inangahua Community, comprising the area of Inangahua Ward.
- The Inangahua Community Board will comprise four (4) elected members and two (2) members appointed by the council representing Inangahua Ward
The names of the wards, the number of members elected by each ward and the population that each member will represent is as follows:
|
Ward |
Estimated residential population* |
Current number of Councillors |
Population- Councillor ratio ** |
Deviation from district average Population per Councillor |
Percentage deviation from district average population per Councillor |
|
Seddon Ward |
1,780 |
2 |
890 |
-78 |
-8.06 |
|
Inangahua Ward |
1,830 |
2 |
915 |
-53 |
-5.48 |
|
Westport Ward |
6,070 |
6 |
1,012 |
44 |
4.51 |
|
TOTAL |
9,680 |
10 |
968*** |
|
|
*Estimated Resident Population on 30 June 2023, based on the 2018 census, usually resident population counts (Source: Statistics New Zealand). **Population per Councillor, based on estimated residential population divided by ten members ***Population per Councillor across the whole district.
A Consultation Document (outlining the Initial Proposal and showing the proposed ward boundaries) and paper submission forms are available from Council offices in Westport and Reefton, the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library, and Information Centres in Northern Buller.
The Consultation Document can also be found on Council’s website.
Written submissions on the Initial Proposal are invited during the consultation period from Monday, August 5, to Thursday, September 5, 2024. Submissions must be received by Council no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 5, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.
Submissions can be made online via Council’s website, or the paper form can be delivered to Council’s Westport and Reefton offices or posted to Buller District Council, PO Box 21, Westport 7866.
Submitters who wish to speak will be given the opportunity to address Council at a hearing in support of their submission.
If you have any queries, please contact our Customer Service team on 0800 807 239 or email info@bdc.govt.nz.
Buller District Council, Chief Executive Officer, Simon Pickford