SP&F Committee to consider Representation Review initial proposal

The Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the ‘Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review’ initial proposal.

The Committee is being asked to recommend Council adopts the initial proposal and proceeds to public consultation from 8 September to 8 October 2021.

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

• 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
• A Rural Community Board

Local authorities are required to carry out a representation review at least every six years. Council’s last representation review was undertaken in 2015 and applied to the 2016 and 2019 local elections. Council is now required to undertake a representation review for the 2022 and 2025 local elections.

On 21 May 2021, Council resolved to introduce Māori Wards following feedback from Te Tatau o te Arawa which undertook consultation with Te Arawa people, communities and entities, seeking feedback on the opportunity for Māori Wards.

This decision activated the beginning of the ‘Your Choice 2022 Representation Review’.

Directly following the decision to introduce a Māori Ward, Council started a community awareness programme, providing information on what a representation review involves and the factors needing to be considered when developing a model. More than 500 community groups and/or associations were directly contacted and provided with awareness material, directing them to Council’s Let’s Talk/Korero Mai platform for more information and an opportunity to complete a survey.

Additionally, a number of public presentations were made, giving the community opportunities to learn about the representation review and ask questions.

Elected members have participated in four forums where they defined the principles on which to structure the initial proposal for consultation.

Based on community, iwi and elected member feedback, eight different options were investigated and tested against the requirements of the Local Electoral Act 2001.

The option deemed to most fairly and effectively represent Rotorua communities is detailed in the proposal being presented to the Committee this week. The proposal is available to the public on Council’s website HERE and includes the principles and mechanisms that have guided this process.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the Committee will be meeting via Zoom at 1pm on Thursday 26 August. This will be livestreamed and available to watch HERE.

The SP&F agenda, ‘Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review report, and initial proposal is available on Council’s website HERE.

More information about the ‘Your Choice – 2022 Representation Review’ is available on Council’s consultation platform Let’s Talk – Korero Mai HERE.