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 elections. Keep an eye out for consultations on this topic during the year, or email us your thoughts at haveyoursay@swdc.govt.nz

The Council last conducted a review in 2018 for the 2019 local elections and resulted in no change to the representation arrangements. Click here for more information on Council’s last review.

Māori Wards

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.

Learn more about Māori wards

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.

Pre-Election Report 2022

Elections 2022 Final Results

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.

PositionCandidate
MayorConnelly, Martin
MayorGeisler, Daphne
MayorBeijen, Alex
MayorWest, Brenda
Featherston WardSadler-Futter, Melissa
Featherston WardOlds, Colin
Featherston WardGrabham, Jack
Featherston WardGray, Rebecca
Featherston WardEmms, Garrick
Featherston WardBlackwood, Philip
Featherston WardBleakley, Claire
Greytown WardWoodcock, Aaron
Greytown WardBosley, Martin
Greytown WardPlimmer, Alastair
Greytown WardRapson, Gareth
Martinborough WardMatchett, Jenna
Martinborough WardMaynard, Pip
Martinborough WardEllims, Aidan
Martinborough WardMcAulay, Kaye
Featherston Community BoardByrne, Mary
Featherston Community BoardDennison, John
Featherston Community BoardSchroeder, Annelise
Featherston Community BoardMaxwell, Warren
Featherston Community BoardRutherford, Tui
Greytown Community BoardWoodcock, Jo
Greytown Community BoardMorison, Neil
Greytown Community BoardBrown, Louise
Martinborough Community BoardBrown, Angela
Martinborough Community BoardRobertson, Storm
Martinborough Community BoardKrogh, Karen
Martinborough Community BoardMaynard, Melanie
Greytown Trust Lands TrustBuxton, Erica
Greytown Trust Lands TrustGawith, Rachel
Greytown Trust Lands TrustMeyrick, Stephen
Greytown Trust Lands TrustWilliams, Derek
Greytown Trust Lands TrustHolmes, 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.

PositionCandidate
MayorBeijen, Alex
MayorFarr, Graham
MayorHarwood, Dayle
MayorNapier, Viv
Featherston WardEmms, Garrick
Featherston WardOlds, Colin
Featherston WardVickery, Ross
Featherston WardWest, Brenda
Greytown WardFox, Rebecca
Greytown WardHay, Leigh
Greytown WardPlimmer, Alistair
Greytown WardWoodgyer, Warren
Martinborough WardColenso, Pamela
Martinborough WardGeisler, Daphne
Martinborough WardJephson, Brian
Martinborough WardMaynard, Phillippa
Featherston Community BoardFreya, Indigo
Greytown Community BoardGray, Graeme
Greytown Community BoardRainford, Ann
Greytown Community BoardSymes, Shelley
Martinborough Community BoardEllims, Aidan
Martinborough Community BoardFenwick, Nathan
Martinborough Community BoardHobden, Penny
Martinborough Community BoardHoney, Michael
Martinborough Community BoardMaynard, Melanie
Martinborough Community BoardMcKeown, Peter
Martinborough Community BoardWall, Alex
Greytown Trust Lands TrustBell, Matthew
Greytown Trust Lands TrustHolden, Philip
Greytown Trust Lands TrustRegnault, Wayne

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