Hawke's Bay Regional Council votes to increase number of councillors
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has voted to increase the number of councillors from nine to 11 councillors.
This final proposal comes following its decision to establish Māori constituencies in May this year and confirms its proposed representation arrangements for the 2022 and 2025 elections.
Chair Rick Barker says this is a momentous day for the Regional Council in the change of its democratic structures.
“Two Māori constituencies are overdue and will strengthen the quality and durability of Regional Council decisions.
“We are maintaining the current shape of the Wairoa constituency despite the disparity in the number of constituents and this demonstrates this council’s focus on the importance of community representation.”
Two new Māori constituencies are proposed; Māui ki te Raki and Māui ki te Tonga.
Māui ki te Raki will see one elected member cover the Wairoa District Council and Napier City Council areas, parts of the Hastings District Council area north of the Ngaruroro River, as well as an area within the regional boundary belonging to Taupō District Council.
Māui ki te Tonga will see one elected member cover the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council area, parts of the Hastings District Council area south of the Ngaruroro River, as well as an area within the regional boundary belonging to Rangitikei District Council.
Five general constituencies are proposed; Tamatea (Central Hawke's Bay), Heretaunga (Hastings), Ahuriri (Napier), Ngaruroro and Wairoa.
This final proposal is open for appeals by those who submitted on Council’s initial proposal and will then go to the Local Government Commission for determination.
