Submissions

On 2 October 2024, South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) considered submissions received on its Initial Proposal regarding representation arrangements for the local elections to be held on 11 October 2025.

SWDC received 129 submissions on its Initial Proposal.

• 28 submitters supported the Initial Proposal
• 96 submitters did not support elements of the proposal including:
  • Submitters did not see any benefit for “at large” representation.
  • At large representation would lack a connection to any part of the community.
  • Status quo/current arrangements are suitable, simple and acceptable with no reason for change.
  • Decreasing ward representation, especially given the large geographical area for South Wairarapa.
  • Three councillors per ward allows for greater representation to reflect the differing views in each ward.
  • At large representation may result in disproportioned representation if the at large councilors are elected from one ward, creating an imbalance towards the three towns.
  • Representation for the rural communities is needed.
  • Disestablishment of community boards.
  • Reduction in the total number of councillors.
  • Greater at large representation instead of general ward representation.
  • Replacement of council with either an expert panel, amalgamation or the commissioner.
  • Seeking the establishment of a rural ward.

Final Proposal

Having considered all submissions, Council resolved to amend its Initial Proposal and retain the current representation arrangement, with the addition of the Māori ward, as the Final Proposal, specifically:

• The number of general ward councillors is retained at 9, as per the current representation arrangement.
• The establishment of at large representation does not proceed, and the current ward structure is retained, with the addition of the Māori ward.
•  The name of the Māori Ward is Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui.

Council considers this change to be appropriate for the following reasons:

• The current representation arrangements are well understood and supported by the community.
• The representation arrangements provide fair and effective representation to our three distinct general wards: Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough.
• The current boundaries provide for effective representation of our communities of interest.
• The proposed representation arrangement provides a greater number of Councillors to be able to provide representation to the different communities of interest in the district.
• The proposed representation arrangement avoids the possibility of at large representation being dominated by one geographical area.
• Feedback from submissions on the initial proposal was broadly in opposition to retaining the initial proposal.

The main objections raised in submissions were rejected for the following reasons:

• Support for a rural ward/rural representation: Council considers the existing arrangements provide for effective representation of rural communities through connection with their wider communities of interest. Council acknowledges the rural community as a community of interest and will look at establishing a Coastal and Rural Advisory Group to represent the interests of this community.  It is noted that the rural community currently have representation through those councillors who live and/or work in the rural community.
• Community Boards: Council acknowledges the need to provide clear direction and purpose to the Community Boards. 
• Reduction in the number of councillors: Council acknowledges and is sympathetic to reducing the number of councillors especially given the small remuneration pool.  However, it is noted that SWDC may have no fewer than seven members nor more than 30 members.  The final proposal for 10 members plus the mayor is comparable to other similar-sized councils, and Council considers this number best provides for good governance and effective representation, taking account of elected members’ workload ahead, the size of the district and maintaining a quorum.
• At large representation: Council rejected at large representation due to potential for unbalanced representation across the district, and on the basis that the current representation is working well. 

Alternative proposals: Replacement of council with either an expert panel, amalgamation or the commissioner are outside the scope of the Representation Review.

Council representation

The Final Proposal for representation at the 2025 local elections is to comprise of the Mayor, elected at large, and 10 councillors elected from four wards:

Ward	Community of Interest
Greytown General Ward	The commercial and urban residential areas of Greytown, as well as surrounding rural communities.
Featherston General Ward	The commercial and urban residential areas of Featherston, as well as surrounding rural communities.
Martinborough General Ward	The commercial and urban residential areas of Martinborough, as well as surrounding rural and coastal communities.
Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui Māori Ward	The area of the whole South Wairarapa District (Māori electoral population).

The number of councillors to be elected from each ward, and the population that each member represents are as follows (population data: Statistics New Zealand estimates 30 June 2023):

Ward	Number of councillors	Population	Population per councillor
Greytown General Ward	3	3,880	1,293
Featherston General Ward	3	3,320	1,107
Martinborough General Ward	3	3,780	1,260
Total General wards	9	10,980	1,220
Māori Ward	1	900	900
Total population	10	11,880

In accordance with section 19V(2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA), the population that each General ward member represents must be within the range of 1,220 +/- 10% (1,098 to 1,342). All wards fall within the stipulated range. 

Community Board Representation

It is proposed that three community boards be elected, representing the following communities:

Community Board	Area of community
Greytown	The area of the Greytown General Ward
Featherston	The area of the Featherston General Ward
Martinborough	The area of the Martinborough General Ward

Each community board will elect four (4) members. The communities will not be subdivided for electoral purposes. Two members will be appointed to each community board, as follows:

Community Board	Appointed members
Greytown	Two members appointed from the Greytown General Ward
Featherston	Two members appointed from the Featherston General Ward
Martinborough	Two members appointed from the Martinborough General Ward

Appeals and objections

Any person who submitted to the Initial Proposal may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision. An appeal must relate to matters raised in the person’s original submission, under section 19O of the LEA.

Any person who objects to the Final Proposal may lodge an objection against the Council’s decision, under section 19P of the LEA. The objection must identify the matters to which the objection relates. 

Appeals and objections must be made in writing and must be received at SWDC by 1 December 2024.

Appeals and objections are to be sent to submissions@swdc.govt.nz or mailed to:

Representation Review
South Wairarapa District Council
PO Box 6
Martinborough 5741

Further information is also available on the council website: www.swdc.govt.nz

Janice Smith
Chief Executive

31 October 2024