Wairarapa’s significant recent population growth could result in more representation for the region at Greater Wellington Regional Council [GWRC] proceedings, as GWRC opens submissions for public feedback as part of its Representation Review.
There are currently 13 councillors representing six constituencies as part of the GWRC, with only one councillor representing Wairarapa.
A Māori constituency is expected to be established in 2025.
The preliminary engagement phase of the Representation Review will allow GWRC to “consider the number of general constituencies, and the number and boundaries of each general constituency, and the number of elected members for each general constituency”.
A GWRC spokesperson said that the review happens every six years, and the primary measure for establishing fair representation is based on the population that each councillor represents.
The review could affect the number of councillors elected to the regional council.
Since the last representation review in 2017, there has been an above-average annual population growth within the Greater Wellington region of 7.1 per cent, while Wairarapa’s growth in the past six years has soared to 15 per cent.
Once preliminary engagement closes, an initial proposal will be developed and released in late May, and the public will be able to submit on this before it is finalised.
Participation can be done via the Greater Wellington website, gw.govt.nz, simply search ‘Representation Review’.
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