2022 Representation Review consultation now open

Kua whakarewa te wāhanga ki te tuku i ōu whakaaro mō te kaupapa Whakaahuahanga o te Kaunihera

Consultation on Council’s proposal for representation arrangements now open

As part of the ‘Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review’, Rotorua Lakes Council is now seeking feedback on its initial proposal for representation arrangements.

Consultation will run from 8 September until 8 October 2021. Submissions are invited and will be considered in final decision-making.

The representation arrangements that are ultimately adopted will apply to the 2022 and 2025 local elections.

The representation arrangements proposed and out for consultation are for a mixed model membership structure with 1 Mayor and 10 councillor seats. The proposed structure is:

  • 1 Mayor elected at large
  • 1 Māori Ward with 2 seats
  • 1 General Ward with 4 seats
  • 4 “at large” seats
  • A Rotorua Lakes Community Board (4 elected members and 1 appointed councillor)
  • A Rural Community Board (4 elected members and 1 appointed councillor)

View the full proposal and provide feedback on Council’s consultation platform - Kōrero Mai/Let’s Talk, HERE.

Based on community, iwi and elected member feedback, a number of different scenarios for representation arrangements have been investigated and tested against the requirements of the Local Electoral Act 2001. The model out for consultation is the one considered to most fairly and effectively represent Rotorua communities.

However we need community feedback to check that we’ve got this right, Council’s DCE - District Leadership & Democracy, Oonagh Hopkins says.

“This is an important opportunity for the community to consider if the proposal on the table is going to fairly and effectively represent their interests when it comes to decision making for the district.

“We’ll be hosting a series of Zoom webinars throughout the month and I strongly encourage people to register and participate in these to learn more about our thinking around this model. The webinars will also give participants the opportunity to share if they support the proposal, or think a different structure would be a better fit.

“The outcome of the review will have a big impact on the way we vote in next year’s election. Local government is a democratic system so it’s really important that the views of our various communities are captured and considered as part of this consultation process.”

The following Zoom webinars will be held during the consultation period. Everyone is welcome to register for a webinar. They will cover information about the representation review and the proposal, and will provide participants with the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. There will be a limited number of participants in each webinar.

Please register for a webinar by selecting the session you would like to attend.

‘Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review’ webinar schedule:


Mēna kei te hiahia koe ki te hono mai ki ngā hui mo ngā iwi/hapū/whānau, otirā mo Ngai Māori o tēnei rohe o Te Arawa, tēna kōwhiringia te hui e pīrangi, wātea rānei ki te hono mai:


Some of the webinars will also be recorded and available to watch on council’s consultation platform - Kōrero Mai/Let’s Talk.

Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, face-to-face information sessions may be possible towards the end of the consultation period.

Following consultation, public hearings will be held on 19 October for those who would like to speak to their submission.

Council will then take all feedback into consideration and make a final decision on its representation arrangements for the 2022 election, adopting a final proposal in November 2021.

There will be opportunity for members of the public to make an objection or appeal that decision before the final proposal is sent to the Local Government Commission.

Learn more and have your say at rotorualakescouncil.nz/koreromai

Māu e whiriwhiri, hei oranga mo te katoa!

Consultation has concluded