Regional Council representation review process to start

Greater Wellington Regional Council today launched a process to examine the numbers of elected Councillors and the parts of the region they represent.

Greater Wellington’s Chair Fran Wilde proposed that the number of councillors be increased by one to 14, with an additional councillor to represent Wairarapa. This proposal was accepted by the Council.

“Wairarapa comprises about three quarters of the region’s land area and is an area of considerable focus and activity for Greater Wellington. Other Councillors agreed with me at today’s meeting. This is the proposal that Greater Wellington will submit for public feedback.

“The Council comprised 14 elected councillors prior to the 2006 review when the Local Government Commission reduced numbers to 13 by taking away one of the Wairarapa seats,” Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde said.

Background information

Greater Wellington Regional Council comprises the areas covered by the Masterton District and part of the Tararua District, Carterton District, South Wairarapa District, Kapiti Coast District, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Hutt City and Wellington City Councils.

It currently has 13 elected members: one for Kapiti Coast, two for Porirua-Tawa, one for Wairarapa, one for Upper Hutt, three for Lower Hutt and five for Wellington. Under the terms of the Local Electoral Act, regional councils can have a minimum of six councillors and a maximum of 14.

The Local Electoral Act requires local authorities, such as Greater Wellington, to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. Greater Wellington’s last review was last done in 2006 for the 2007 elections. It is now legally required to carry out its next review in 2012 for the 2013 elections.

Public submissions will be called for from 16 June until 16 July 2012. A Hearings Committee will meet on 2 August to hear and consider submissions. The Council will consider the Committee’s recommendations and adopt a final proposal on 21 August. A public notice of final proposal will be published on 25 August. A period for appeals and objections closes on 25 September with a final recommendation submitted to the Local Government Commission on 2 November 2012.