Council decides on Representation

Following consultation on the Representation Review, Council's second (and final) proposal is to have 10 Councillors, three wards and retain the community board in Tīrau.

The Councillor representation will be one Councillor from Tīrau, three from Putāruru and six from Tokoroa. The Tīrau Community Board will represent the geographic boundaries of the Tīrau Ward. There is no changes to any of the ward boundaries.

Council received over 60 submissions on the Representation Review initial proposal. In summary:

• 56 submitters supported the proposal to retain 10 Councillors, with eight opposing
• 15 submitters supported the proposal to have two wards, with 45 opposing
• 15 submitters supported the proposal to have no community boards, with 42 opposing

"Council is pleased at the level of engagement over the question of representation," said Mayor Neil Sinclair.

"And we have definitely received a steer from our community, especially those living in Tīrau."

"Under the legislation Council had to make a single formal proposal, as opposed to options, said Neil Sinclair.

The full process Council has followed included a feedback period in November/December last year through advertising in the local newspaper and three full pages in our own community newsletter, In Touch. Our next step was the formal proposal stage and consultation period. Following the hearings and deliberations today, Council will be submitting a second (and final) proposal. If there are objections or appeals on this final proposal, the decision will rest with the Local Government Commission.

"Council is confident that the current representation is working and acknowledges the support for the current situation to prevail," said Mayor Sinclair.

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