Make a submission
Let us know your thoughts on our representation review proposal.
Every six years we must review the shape of our Council. We must consider whether we have wards, if so, how many, their boundaries, and their names, including the name of the new Māori ward which has now been established.
Consideration also needs to be made about the number of councillors and whether they are elected by ward and/or at large.
This review will also look at the role of the Council’s two community boards in Motueka and Golden Bay. We can decide whether to establish or disestablish any community board and, if it's decided to create another one, how many community boards to have.
We are seeking your views as we make sure Tasman District’s representation arrangements continue to meet the District’s needs.
We need to get a final proposal together by the end of next year - 2024 with any new arrangements to apply for the 2025 and 2028 elections. Our First Past the Post voting system decided upon in the 2019 review will remain for the 2025 election.
You can learn more about representation reviews on the Local Government Commission website (click the link)
How will you be represented at your Council?
The role of elected members, our Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members, includes acting as a voice for the local community. We are looking for ideas and feedback on whether our arrangement for fair and effective representation meet the needs and expectations of Tasman's residents.
What do we need to consider when making decisions?
- What are our communities of interest?
- What are the best means to provide effective representation of communities of interest?
- What is fair representation of electors?
What are ‘communities of interest’?
When looking at boundaries for local representation, we are required to consider ‘communities of interest’. This term can be subjective, however we generally consider three factors:
- A sense of belonging to an area.
- An ability to meet the community requirements for services.
- An ability politically to represent the interest of the community.
What is being proposed?
Initial proposal for representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections.
On 17 July 2024 Tasman District Council reviewed its representation arrangements, and resolved that the following proposal apply for the Council and its community boards for the elections to be held on 11 October 2025:
Council representation
Tasman District Council will comprise a mayor, elected at large, and 14 councillors elected from five general wards and one Māori ward. The wards reflect the following identified communities of interest:
| Ward | Communities of interest |
| Golden Bay General Ward | Collingwood, Tākaka |
| Lakes-Murchison General Ward | Murchison, Tapawera, St Arnaud |
| Moutere-Waimea General Ward | |
| Motueka General Ward | |
| Richmond General Ward | Richmond, Hope |
| TeTai o Aorere Māori Ward | The whole of the Tasman District |
The population (based on Statistics NZ estimates as of 30 June 2023) that each member will represent is as follows:
| Ward | Population | Number of Councillors | Population per Councillor |
| Golden Bay General Ward | 5,590 | 2 | 2,795 |
| Lakes-Murchison General Ward | 3,990 | 1 | 3,990 |
| Moutere-Waimea General Ward | 15,350 | 3 | 5,117 |
| Motueka General Ward | 12,500 | 3 | 4,167 |
| Richmond General Ward | 19,350 | 4 | 4,838 |
| Total (General Wards) | 56,780 | 13 | 4,368 |
| TeTai o Aorere Māori Ward | 2,540 | 1 | |
| Total | 59,320 |
In accordance with section 19V(2), Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each member represents must be within the range of 4,368 +/- 10% (3,931 to 4,805), unless particular community of interest considerations justify otherwise.
The representation of the Golden Bay, Moutere-Waimea and Richmond General Wards falls outside the stipulated range. The Council proposes that the Golden Bay General Ward be treated as an isolated community and be exempt from complying with S19V(2) on the grounds provided under S19V(3)(a) that non-compliance is required for effective representation of isolated communities of interest within this ward. The Council proposes that the Moutere-Waimea and Richmond General Wards be exempt from complying with s19V(2) on the grounds provided under S19V(3)(a) that compliance would limit effective representation by dividing communities of interest between wards.
Māori Ward
Following resolution CN23-09-6 Council has established a Māori ward and proposes that it be named ‘Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward’.
This decision was taken following engagement with the Chairs of the eight Te Tauihu Iwi
Trusts, as representatives of those who whakapapa to their Trusts. The Iwi Chairs
expressed their support for a Māori Ward for Tasman District.
The Government has now introduced the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill. Once enacted this Bill will require the Council to either rescind its decision or hold a binding poll on whether to have a Māori Ward at the 2025 local government election.
Once feedback is received and the Bill is enacted a further report will be provided to the Council to decide whether to rescind or hold a binding poll.
Community Board Representation
It is proposed that there will be two communities which will be represented by community boards, as follows:
| Golden Bay Community Board | Area covered by the present Golden Bay Ward boundaries |
| Motueka Community Board | Area covered by the present Motueka Ward boundaries |
The Golden Bay and Motueka Community Boards will each elect four members. They will not be subdivided for electoral purposes. Elected ward members will be appointed to the Boards as follows:
| Golden Bay Community Board | Two elected Golden Bay Ward councillors and/or the Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward councillor |
| Motueka Community Board | Three elected Motueka Ward councillors and/or the Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward councillor |
