LGC makes determination on Ōpōtiki representation arrangements
On 8 April 2025, the Local Government Commission released their determination on Ōpōtiki District Council’s representation arrangements for the coming local government elections in October.
The Commission approved the structure proposed by Council. That means the continuation of the Coast Community Board, a mayor elected at large, and seven councillors:
- One from a Coast Māori Ward
- Two from the Ōpōtiki Māori Ward
- Two from the Rural General Ward
- Two from the Urban General Ward
Ōpōtiki Mayor, David Moore said that it was a reflection of the time and effort the council and community feedback had put into the proposed structure.
“There was a lot of thought and consideration put into our representation arrangements and we felt it best reflected our new Māori wards, while at the same time keeping the vital voice of the Coast communities at the council table. It also allowed us to keep the number of councillors tight – appreciating the growing workload for council members and also the need to be a small group and nimble and responsive to new issues. We think we found the right balance and the Local Government Commission agreed with us on that.
“Our Māori wards are not subject to a poll under the legislation and are in place for the first time this election. I am excited to see the wards in action and how they may reflect our communities and candidates at the council table,” Mayor Moore said.
The determination notes that ‘under section 19V(6) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, the Commission upholds the decision of the Council not to comply with section 19V(2) in respect of the Coast Māori Ward and Ōpōtiki Māori Ward, as compliance would limit effective representation of communities of interest within the isolated communities of the Coast Māori Ward’.
“What that means is that the legislation requires that each Māori ward councillor represents about the same number of people – specifically it must be within plus or minus 10%. We were outside this range for our Coast Ward but argued that it was needed in order to represent a ‘specific and isolated community of interest.’ It is good to see that this approach has made it through to our final representation arrangements for elections in October,” Mayor Moore said.
Council elections will be on 11 October 2025. This is the community opportunity to vote for a mayor, councillors and community board members that represent community voices at the council table. It will be the first time Ōpōtiki is voting with Māori wards in place.
“People will start seeing more and more information about elections and voting around the place over the coming months. Most people by now should have received their enrolment packs and that might get people thinking about elections.
“The first step is to make sure you are enrolled. Make a decision now about whether you want to be on the Māori Roll or General Roll because for the first time it matters in local elections, not just national ones.
“Think about whether you want to be one of the brave people who put their hand up to be candidates at local elections. There is so much important work done here at a local level and great candidates is the best place to start,” Mayor Moore said.
More information on the 2025 Elections is on the council website www.odc.govt.nz/elections
And Local Government Commission Determination - Public notice: Ōpōtiki District Council - Representation Review 2025 - Local Government Commission
