21 September 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Rotorua rural ward voting for 2022 local elections
Enquiry
I've had a call from Bob Martin who lives at Paradise Springs and he said he didn't know he was in a rural ward and could only vote for the rural candidates and the mayor.
He's a former councillor and says he feels this has been passed secretly as he likes to think he is informed and keeps in touch with local news and events.
I'm also starting to see comments on Facebook this morning from locals who also didn't realise the change.
I know we have reported this change, so they must have missed those stories.
Can you please answer the following?
- Has the council been contacted this week by voters who weren't aware of the change? Has it been a lot of people? Or just a few?
- What communication was given directly to those in the rural ward to inform them of the change (either public notice, mail drop, emails etc)?
- What's the latest on the paused on the Paused Representation Arrangements Bill?
- Feel free to add anything further that's relevant.
I've spoken to another rural ward resident who says the following in case you wanted to respond to that also:
*
Kaharoa voter Andrea Hammond said residents she knew in her area had been taken by surprise.
"It's not even close to being clearly communicated."
She said if people had known, the council would have received hundreds of objections.
Hammond said they only lived about 15 minutes from central Rotorua and decisions made by the council fully impacted them.
"It affects us all, not just those in town. Our rates are not cheaper but we don't have the same amount of say. Our involvement in who is running the council has been decreased hugely."
She said she didn't doubt a legal process was followed but she questioned how it could be legally fair.
Former Rotorua district councillor and Paradise Valley Rd resident Bob Martin said rural voters weren't aware of the ramifications. He said he and other voters he had spoken to were looking in their envelopes wondering if they were missing a page.
"It's a system that's difficult to understand and I'm struggling and I like to think I'm in the know. We never had a clue. The Indians never got a head's up from the chiefs."
Martin said rural voters would feel like they had been eliminated to one voice around the council table.
Response
From DCE District Leadership and Democracy Oonagh Hopkins:
Has the council been contacted this week by voters who weren't aware of the change? Has it been a lot of people? Or just a few?
One call has been received from a rural voter who was unaware of the change.
What communication was given directly to those in the rural ward to inform them of the change (either public notice, mail drop, emails etc)?
Council continues to promote information about the new representation arrangements and what it means for voters across the district on its channels as part of its Vote 2022 campaign to ensure awareness and encourage people to vote.
We would encourage people who are unsure about the changes to check the information that is available on Council’s website HERE. If they are still unsure they are welcome to call council on 348 4199 and ask to speak to someone who can assist and provide guidance.
Council’s representation review last year was widely promoted to the community via all of council’s channels as well as via advertising. This was both during and after consultation with updates and decisions reported via Council’s website and social media channels. The decision of the Local Government Commission which subsequently ultimately determined the voting model for Rotorua for the 2022 local election was also featured on Council’s channels.
The Local Government Commission’s determination on Rotorua representation arrangements for this year’s election was released in April 2022.
The Commission’s determination differed from the model adopted by Council in November 2021: increased number of members in Maori ward from 1 to 3; increased number of members in General Ward from 1 to 6; adjusted General Ward boundaries to cover urban and lakes areas; created a rural ward with 1 seat; removed at-large members to that all members are elected by ward.
Both the Commission’s determination (April) and confirmation (May) that that would be the model for this year’s election were promoted on Council’s website and social media channels and on council’s engagement platform Let’s Talk/Korero Mai HERE. It was also included in council’s weekly e-panui that residents can sign up to and was confirmed with elected members during a livestreamed, public committee meeting.
Both the Commission’s determination and confirmation that that would be the model for this year’s elections were covered by media and the Rotorua Rural Community Board also shared the information and what it would mean for rural voters.
The voting model information is in the pre-election report that has been publicly available since 1 August on council’s website and has also been promoted via council’s social media channels and the weekly e-panui.
The information is also included in the “information for voters” section that is part of all information relating to the 2022 elections on council’s website (see Vote 2022 tile on the website home page). This has been live on the council website since the end of July and continues to be promoted via the council’s social media channels and weekly e-panui.
The information also features on screens in council’s Civic Centre customer centre and the library.
And voting papers also provide guidance on voting arrangements.
What's the latest on the paused on the Paused Representation Arrangements Bill?
This is still with the Maori Affairs Select Committee.
See info HERE on www.parliament.nz which includes a timeline.
Regarding comments from Andrea Hammond and Bob Martin:
The representation review process started last year with a proposed model that went out to consultation. Council promoted the review widely, on both its own channels and on media channels including radio and in the local papers, encouraging people to have their say.
Ultimately the model for this election was the model determined by the Local Government Commission. It was not the model that was adopted by the Council, which did not include a rural ward.
The model that was adopted by the Council was considered to be an interim model while Council seeks a model that is considered to best represent the district via the Local Bill that is now with the Maori Affairs Select Committee.
Because of objections and appeals against the model that Council adopted, the decision on what representation model would apply for 2022 had to be referred to the Local Government Commission for a determination.
The Commission has hearings ahead of making a determination and that determination can be appealed to the High Court, on a point of law, within one month of the date it was released. It may also be subject to judicial review in relation to the process followed.
You’ll find a whole lot of information re the representation review process and LGC processes HERE on the commission’s website.
You’ll find all info re council’s representation review and outcome HERE. See below excerpt and info from this link to assist you:
Council was bound by legislative constraints to adopt a representation model on Friday 19 November 2021. So while acknowledging that the ideal representation model is the one outlined above, to meet the requirements of the Local Electoral Act, in a split vote decision, Council has adopted the following interim representation model:
- 1 Mayor elected at large
- 1 Māori Ward with 1 seat
- 1 General Ward with 1 seat
- 8 “At large” seats
- A Rotorua Lakes Community Board
- A Rural Community Board
It was noted that this interim model falls short of Council’s preferred model, however preserves the principles of voter parity, a key theme emerging through consultation, and is legally compliant with the formula set out in the LEA.
Council’s preferred model – which is the subject of the Local Bill – is:
- 1 Mayor elected at large
- 1 Māori Ward with 3 seats
- 1 General Ward with 3 seats
- 4 “At large” seats
- A Rotorua Lakes Community Board
- A Rural Community Board