Representation and Elections
Representation arrangements
South Wairarapa District Council consists of a mayor, who is chairperson of the Council and nine councillors elected via a constituency system (Wards). The three constituencies represented by councillors are mapped below (Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston Ward), the mayor is elected at large:
Community Boards
The South Wairarapa district has three community boards. The composition of each is as follows:
- Featherston Community Board – four members elected by the community plus two ward councillors appointed by Council;
- Greytown Community Board – four members elected by the community plus two ward councillors appointed by Council;
- Martinborough Community Board – four members elected by the community plus two ward councillors appointed by Council.
Representation Review
Councils are required to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. This review must consider:
- The number of elected members
- The boundaries and names of each Ward
- How many Wards there are
- The number of members that will represent each Ward
- Community Boards and number of elected members on them.
Councils must follow the procedures set out in the Local Electoral Act 2001 when conducting their representation review. They should also follow the guidelines published by the Local Government Commission.
The Local Electoral Act 2001 gives individuals and community groups the right to make a written submission to the Council on its proposed representation arrangements, as well as the right to be heard if they wish. There is also the right to appeal or object to decisions on the proposed representation arrangements. The Local Government Commission will then make a binding decision on the appeal.
South Wairarapa District Council is currently undertaking a Representation Review for the 2025 local elections. On 30 October 2024, Council resolved to retain the current arrangements (as mentioned above) with the addition of a Māori Ward. Full details of the review can be found on the consultation page.
Māori Wards
Update October 2024: On 30 October 2024, Council resolved to name the Māori Ward Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui. This name refers to the area of South Wairarapa, to which the lake is the most significant natural landmark, and symbolises the ward being the eyes and ears for tangata Māori in South Wairarapa. The name translates to the eye of the fish of Māui. Māori identify South Wairarapa through landmarks and significant sites of which Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui is one.
Update September 2024: On 4 September 2024, Council reaffirmed its decision to retain a Maori Ward for 2025. Due to government legislation changes since the original resolution, SWDC will carry out a binding poll on Māori wards as part of the 2025 election process for 2028.
On 22 November 2023 South Wairarapa District Council resolved to establish a Māori Ward for South Wairarapa District in the 2025 and 2028 local body elections. Click here for more information on that Council meeting.
In making this decision, Council are guided by the provisions set out in the Local Government Act 2002 and in the Local Electoral Act 2001. Engagement was undertaken through our Māori Standing Committee, who on 7 November 2023 voted to adopt a position of strong unanimous support for a Māori ward based on feedback and consultation with marae, whanau, hapū and iwi following engagement from
each of the represented iwi groups.
- Kohunui Marae
- Hau Ariki Marae
- Papawai Marae
- Pae Tū Mokai o Tauira
- Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
- Rangitāne o Wairarapa
This decision means that those on the Māori electoral role will be able to elect a member to the Māori ward in the next two elections. The number of Māori seats is based on the districts population and therefore, South Wairarapa District is eligible for one Māori ward. This elected member is at large across the district rather than ward based.
Elections
Previous Elections
A pre-election report provides voters and candidates with information about the key issues facing the South Wairarapa District Council, its financial position and its major projects scheduled in the next three years.
2022 Elections Returns and Expenses
All candidates for the South Wairarapa District Council 2022 Triennial Elections must file a return of electoral donations and expenses.
The table below includes the returns of each candidate.
| Position | Candidate |
| Mayor | Connelly, Martin |
| Mayor | Geisler, Daphne |
| Mayor | Beijen, Alex |
| Mayor | West, Brenda |
| Featherston Ward | Sadler-Futter, Melissa |
| Featherston Ward | Olds, Colin |
| Featherston Ward | Grabham, Jack |
| Featherston Ward | Gray, Rebecca |
| Featherston Ward | Emms, Garrick |
| Featherston Ward | Blackwood, Philip |
| Featherston Ward | Bleakley, Claire |
| Greytown Ward | Woodcock, Aaron |
| Greytown Ward | Bosley, Martin |
| Greytown Ward | Plimmer, Alastair |
| Greytown Ward | Rapson, Gareth |
| Martinborough Ward | Matchett, Jenna |
| Martinborough Ward | Maynard, Pip |
| Martinborough Ward | Ellims, Aidan |
| Martinborough Ward | McAulay, Kaye |
| Featherston Community Board | Byrne, Mary |
| Featherston Community Board | Dennison, John |
| Featherston Community Board | Schroeder, Annelise |
| Featherston Community Board | Maxwell, Warren |
| Featherston Community Board | Rutherford, Tui |
| Greytown Community Board | Woodcock, Jo |
| Greytown Community Board | Morison, Neil |
| Greytown Community Board | Brown, Louise |
| Martinborough Community Board | Brown, Angela |
| Martinborough Community Board | Robertson, Storm |
| Martinborough Community Board | Krogh, Karen |
| Martinborough Community Board | Maynard, Melanie |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Buxton, Erica |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Gawith, Rachel |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Meyrick, Stephen |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Williams, Derek |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Holmes, Andrew |
2019 Elections Returns and Expenses
All candidates for the South Wairarapa District Council 2019 Triennial Elections must file a return of electoral donations and expenses.
The table below includes the returns of each candidate current to 16 December 2019.
| Position | Candidate |
| Mayor | Beijen, Alex |
| Mayor | Farr, Graham |
| Mayor | Harwood, Dayle |
| Mayor | Napier, Viv |
| Featherston Ward | Emms, Garrick |
| Featherston Ward | Olds, Colin |
| Featherston Ward | Vickery, Ross |
| Featherston Ward | West, Brenda |
| Greytown Ward | Fox, Rebecca |
| Greytown Ward | Hay, Leigh |
| Greytown Ward | Plimmer, Alistair |
| Greytown Ward | Woodgyer, Warren |
| Martinborough Ward | Colenso, Pamela |
| Martinborough Ward | Geisler, Daphne |
| Martinborough Ward | Jephson, Brian |
| Martinborough Ward | Maynard, Phillippa |
| Featherston Community Board | Freya, Indigo |
| Greytown Community Board | Gray, Graeme |
| Greytown Community Board | Rainford, Ann |
| Greytown Community Board | Symes, Shelley |
| Martinborough Community Board | Ellims, Aidan |
| Martinborough Community Board | Fenwick, Nathan |
| Martinborough Community Board | Hobden, Penny |
| Martinborough Community Board | Honey, Michael |
| Martinborough Community Board | Maynard, Melanie |
| Martinborough Community Board | McKeown, Peter |
| Martinborough Community Board | Wall, Alex |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Bell, Matthew |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Holden, Philip |
| Greytown Trust Lands Trust | Regnault, Wayne |
