Have your say – Representation Review 2024

A representation review addresses the total number of councillors there should be for the district or region and the way they are elected.

This involves deciding whether councillors are elected from wards, or by a mix of both wards and 'at large'.

A review also covers the boundaries of wards, Community Boards and their names.

You can watch a summary of the Representation Review process below:

To ensure councils retain effective and fair representation for the community, all territorial authorities are required under the Local Electoral Act 2001 to review their representation arrangements at least every six years. The last representation review was undertaken in 2021 however, as Council resolved to establish Māori Wards for the 2025 local elections we must undertake a representation review in 2024.

Representation reviews offer a chance for us to look at the current local boards and wards to make sure that they are represented fairly and effectively.

Wards are areas of a district identified for electoral purposes. They work in the same way as seats in a general election.

Currently in the Thames-Coromandel we have a ward system where candidates stand in a ward area and people living in that area get to vote for them.

Our four election wards are: Thames, Coromandel-Colville, Mercury Bay, South Eastern. Currently people can only vote for candidates in their ward, but everyone gets to vote for who they want as Mayor.

Although candidates stand for their ward area, when voted on to council, councillors swear an oath to work for the district as a whole.

You can find out more about our current ward structure here: Our Wards Information.

The review would consider how many elected members are required to represent the needs of the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

The current model for the district is:

• One Mayor elected from across the district (‘at large’).
• Nine Councillors elected from four wards (Each Councillor currently represents between 3500 and 4100 residents and ratepayers.).
• Coromandel-Colville Ward - Represented by one Councillor.
• Mercury Bay Ward - Represented by three Councillors.
• South Eastern Ward - Represented by two Councillors.
• Thames Ward - Represented by three Councillors. 

• 20 Community Board members elected from five Community Boards.
• Coromandel-Colville Community Board - Four Board Members and one appointed Ward Councillor.
• Mercury Bay Community Board - Four Board Members and three appointed Ward Councillors.
• Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board - Four Board Members and two appointed Ward Councillors.
• Whangamatā Community Board - Four Board Members and two appointed Ward Councillors.
• Thames Community Board - Four Board Members and three appointed Ward Councillors.

Current ward and community board boundaries

Current Community Board boundaries and names

Coromandel-Colville Community Board

Mercury Bay Community Board

Tairua/Pāuanui Community Board

Thames Community Board 

Whangamatā Community Board

What we need to consider:

The review will consider how Councillors can be elected and whether we vote for them ‘at large’, by ward system or a mixture of both.

At large: Councillors can be elected ‘at large’ which means they are elected by all electors on the General electoral roll and the Māori electoral roll within the district.

The ‘at large’ system can lead to a situation where a large number of candidates are elected from a specific area of the district, resulting in an imbalance in the representation of different areas.

Elected from wards: Councillors can be elected from wards. The ‘elected from wards’ option could include councillors elected from a ward (or wards) within the district (like our current arrangement) and/or a ward covering the entire district (district-wide ward).

In this structure

• Electors on the General Electoral Roll vote for the Mayor, Councillors in their respective Wards, and their respective community board members.
• Electors on the Māori Electoral Roll can vote for the Mayor, Councillor/s who are standing for Māori ward/s, any Councillors who are elected ‘at large’, and their respective community board members.

Mixed model: Councillors can be elected from a mixture of wards and ‘at large.’

In this structure

• Electors on the General Electoral Roll vote for Mayor, councillors in the General Ward(s) and respective community board members.
• Electors from the Māori Electoral Roll vote for Mayor, councillors from the Māori Ward(s) and respective Community Board members.
• All voters, on the General and Māori Electoral Roll, can vote for councillors ‘at large.’

A mixed system where some Councillors are elected from Wards, and some from across the District can be seen to provide a balance between representation of District-wide interests and local concerns.

If choosing a ward-based system, the number of Councillors needs to comply with the population vs member ratio requirements.

The number of councillors is based on population member ratio, generally it means each elected member represents about the same number of people. Each currently represents between 3500 and 4100 residents and ratepayers. 

We have provided a few scenarios to show compliance with population vs member ratio requirements and we welcome additional options. 

Scenario One: If we retain nine Councillors, our current general ward boundaries, with one Māori Ward (one Councillor) and four general wards (eight Councillors).

30,340/8 general ward Councillors - 3,792 +/- 10 percent = 3,413 – 4,171.

Scenario Two: If we increase to 10 Councillors, keep the current general ward boundaries, with one Māori Ward (one Councillor) and four general wards (nine Councillors).

30,340/9 general ward Councillors = 3,371 +/- 10 percent = 3,034 – 3,708.

Scenario three: If we increase to 10 Councillors, combine current general ward boundaries, with one Māori Ward (one Councillor) and two general wards (nine Councillors).

30,340/9 general ward Councillors = 3,371 +/- 10 percent = 3,034 – 3,708.

The number of councillors is based on population equity, generally it means each elected member represents about the same number of people.

Māori wards provide a way for Māori to contribute to decision-making and have representation at council. Thames-Coromandel District Council Māori ward/s will represent Māori in our community so that our decision-making is fairer and more inclusive. Electors enrolled on the Māori electoral roll will vote for candidates standing for Māori wards.

Similarly, electors enrolled on the general electoral roll will vote for candidates standing for general wards. The successful Māori ward candidates will become councillors at council. Councillors have a responsibility to represent their communities.

Māori ward councillors will have a particular responsibility to represent people of Māori descent and bring forward Māori views and aspirations. However, they also represent the entire community in our District. “Wards” are the parts of a council area that have been determined by population and communities of interest. These can be either general wards or Māori wards.

To be eligible to stand for a Māori ward you must be a New Zealand citizen, aged over 18, enrolled to vote, and nominated by two electors whose names appear on the Māori electoral roll. You do not need to be of Māori descent or enrolled on the Māori roll to stand for the Māori ward, and you do not need to live in Thames-Coromandel District Council area.

You can vote in a Māori ward if you are on the Māori electoral roll. Only New Zealand Māori and the descendants of New Zealand Māori can choose to be on the Māori electoral roll.

• Read more about the Māori ward vote
• Learn more about Māori wards

At its 8 August 2023 meeting, Council resolved to retain First Past the Post Electoral System (the way votes are counted). This means the highest polling candidates will be elected.

At its 31 October 2023 meeting, Council resolved to establish at least one Māori Ward. This decision to have at least one Māori Ward will not be reconsidered however how Māori Ward/s are structured will be considered through this process.

When looking at boundaries for local representation, we are required to consider ‘communities of interest’. This term can be subjective, however we generally consider three factors:

1. A sense of belonging to an area
2. An ability to meet the community requirements for services
3. An ability politically to represent the interest of the community.