Feedback sought on representation review
Environment Southland is asking for the community’s help to decide on the makeup of council ahead of the 2025 local body elections.
The initial proposal, out now for public consultation, considers the sizes of the constituencies, their boundaries and names, and the number of councillors representing the communities in these constituencies.
Environment Southland’s chief executive Wilma Falconer said the proposal recommends largely retaining the existing arrangements, with 12 councillors representing six constituencies, but with minor changes to some constituency boundaries.
“These boundary changes would impact the Eastern-Dome, Hokonui and Western constituencies, but would ensure our constituencies better align with the Southland District Council ward boundaries.
“This consultation is an opportunity for Southlanders to think about the way they’re represented, and whether they consider it’s still fair and effective,” Wilma Falconer said.
Every six years, all councils are required to review their representation arrangements, including how many councillors there are and the areas they represent.
Councillors have considered a range of scenarios and had sought preliminary feedback with stakeholders and the community earlier this year through our Long-term Plan consultation.
The current arrangements have been in place since 2007 and were re-affirmed in 2013 and 2019 as the most effective way of providing representation for Southland’s communities.
Feedback on council’s initial proposal is open from Friday 19 July until 5pm, Monday 19 August.
A final proposal will be considered by the council in September, before being submitted for approval to the Local Government Commission.
The arrangements decided on as part of this review will take effect for the local government elections in October 2025.
More information about the representation review, the initial proposal and the feedback form is available on the Environment Southland website at this link.
ENDS
For more information, contact the communications team on 0800 76 88 45 or email communications@es.govt.nz
