Representation Arrangements

Representation Review

All territorial authorities are required under the Local Electoral Act 2001 to review their representation arrangements at least every six years. Council last reviewed its representation arrangements prior to the 2022 local authority elections; accordingly, it will be required to undertake a review prior to the next elections in October 2028.

Representation reviews are to determine the number of councillors to be elected, the basis of election for councillors and, if this includes wards, the boundaries and names of those wards. Reviews also include whether there are to be community boards and, if so, arrangements for those boards. Representation arrangements are to be determined to provide fair and effective representation for individuals and communities.

On 11 November 2021, Council gave public notice of its final proposal for representation arrangements to apply for the Council for the elections held on the 8 October 2022. Notification of the right to appeal or object was also given.

Three appeals and two objections received on the Council’s final proposal were referred to the Local Government Commission for a formal hearing. Following the hearing, on 4 April 2022, the Local Government Commission published its determination of Council’s representation arrangements for the 2022 elections.

Wards and Community Boards

The Local Electoral Act 2001 gives Council the ability to establish separate wards for Māori electors. Council may resolve to create separate Māori wards or conduct a poll on the matter. Alternatively, the community may demand a poll. The demand for a poll can be initiated by a petition signed by 5% of electors within the District.

Council resolved to introduce Māori Wards for the 2022 elections.

The Local Government Commission determined the Council will comprise nine members elected from one General Ward and one Māori Ward, with the Mayor being elected at large.

Ruapehu District Council
1 Mayor	Elected at large (by the entire District)
6 Councillors	Representing 1 General Ward comprising the entire District
3 Councillors	Representing 1 Māori Ward comprising the entire District

The Ruapehu District is divided into two wards with representation as follows:

Ward	No. of Members	Population 2018 Census figures
General Ward	6	6,972
Māori Ward	3	5,337
Total	9	12,309

A Community Board represents an area known as a “community”. The Board comprises both elected members and one Councillor appointed by Council. The Local Government Commission determined there will be three communities as follows:

Community Boards
5 Elected Members	Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board
5 Elected Members	Ōwhango-National Park Community Board
5 Elected Members	Taumarunui–Ōhura Community Board

Changing the Representation Arrangements

Council is required to review its representation arrangements at least once every six years. Council last reviewed its representation arrangements prior to the 2022 local authority elections; accordingly, it will be required to undertake a review prior to the next elections in October 2028.

This review must include the following:

The number of Elected Members.
Whether the Elected Members shall be elected by the entire District (at large), or whether the District will be divided into Wards for electoral purposes, or whether there will be a mix of ‘at large’ and ‘Ward’ representation.
The boundaries and names of those wards and the number of members that will represent each Ward (if election by wards is preferred)
Whether or not to have separate Wards for electors on the Māori roll.
Whether to have Community Boards and if so, how many, their boundaries and membership and whether to further subdivide a community for electoral purposes.

Council must follow the procedure set out in the Local Electoral Act 2001 when conducting this review and should also follow guidelines published by the Local Government Commission. The Act gives electors the right to make a written submission to the Council, and the right to be heard if they wish.

Electors also have the right to appeal some decisions to the Local Government Commission, which will make a binding decision on the appeal.

Opportunities for Change to Community Boards

There are three ways to trigger a change in the structure of Community Boards. Council could resolve to change the Community Board arrangements or to conduct a poll. Alternatively, electors can demand a poll. If changes were made at this stage they would take effect at the next elections.

Electors can demand the formation of a new Community Board. This is done by a process similar to the reorganisation process described below.

The Reorganisation Process

Local government reorganisation, as set out by the Local Government Act 2002 section 24, may provide for one or more of the following matters

the union of districts or regions,
the constitution of a new district or region, including the constitution of a new local authority for that district or region,
the abolition of a district or region, including the dissolution or abolition of the local authority for that district or region,
the alteration of the boundaries of any district or region,
the transfer of a statutory obligation from one local authority to another,
the assumption by a territorial authority of the powers of a regional council,
the performance and exercise by a local authority of both
- the responsibilities, duties, and powers of a regional council in respect of a region; and
- the responsibilities, duties, and powers of a territorial authority in respect of a district that constitutes a part only of that region
the establishment of 1 or more joint committees and the delegation of responsibilities, duties, and powers to those committees,
the establishment of a local board area, including the establishment of a local board for that local board area,
in relation to a local board, other than a local board established under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009,
- the means by which the chairperson is elected; and
- whether the local board may include appointed members
the abolition of a local board area,
the alteration of the boundaries of a local board area,
the union of 2 or more local board areas.

The purpose of the local government reorganisation provisions of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of local government by:

Providing communities with the opportunity to initiate, and participate in considering, alternative local government arrangements for their area; and
Requiring the Commission, in consultation with communities, to identify, develop, and implement in a timely manner the option that best promotes good local government.

A reorganisation application may be made to the Local Government Commission by any person, body or group. The 2012 and 2013 Amendments to the LGA 2002 have steadily increased the flexibility related to reorganisation.

The procedures for resolving each type of proposal are slightly different. In general, they begin with a proposal from a Council, the Ministry of Local Government or by a petition signed by 10% of electors.

Proposals for boundary alteration or the transfer of functions from one council to another will be considered by the affected councils, or by the Local Government Commission, if the local authorities refer the proposal to the Commission. The Commission will deal with proposals for the establishment of a new City/District or for the creation of a Unitary Authority. These proposals cannot be implemented without a poll of electors.

Further information on these requirements can be found in Sections 24 to 27 of the Local Government Act 2002. The Local Government Commission has also prepared guidelines on procedures for local government reorganisation. These may be requested from the New Zealand Local Government Commission or located on its website www.lgc.govt.nz.