South Wairarapa councillors chose to keep the electoral status quo for the district’s 2022 elections. PHOTO /MARCUS ANSELM
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MARCUS ANSELM
South Wairarapa’s political landscape will likely stay as it is until the 2025 local council elections.
South Wairarapa councillors voted against proposing changes to the district’s electoral structure until the next triennium.
This means the possibility of a Maori ward, boundary changes, and a change in voting systems will have to wait for another election cycle.
The council currently has three wards, based on its main towns of Featherston, Greytown, and Martinborugh.
Changes to wards and voting systems would need to be approved by the electorate, and that consultation would need to be changed well ahead of the next election.
Councillor Leigh Hay was involved in the 2018 representation review, as Greytown Community Board chair.
She said the changes required spending not in the council’s budget for the year.
“Post-lockdown, we’re trying to save every penny we can, and suddenly a potential of $60,000, which is unbudgeted for [comes along].”
At its October 2018 meeting, the council looked into a review of its current systems.
Discussions on a Maori ward for the district were held, and further information was requested.
Under the terms of the previous resolution, a decision was needed by November this year.
Narida Hooper, the interim chair of the SWDC Maori Standing Committee, said committee members had not had the opportunity to discuss electoral matters yet.
“This should have been put in front of the committee a while ago, because we don’t actually have these conversations.
“Stuff that affects us as a people, but happens automatically at council, in processes, if we don’t get it flagged, then we can’t ask questions, we can’t get schooled on it, and we need to understand it.
“We have to set platforms, it’s not just for us, but for future generations.”
A prospective Maori ward would not end the standing committee, SWDC’s policy manager Karen Yates said.
Should a seat for tangata whenua be created, Yates said the committee would still have an important role.
The standing committee has representatives from marae and iwi in the district.
In its first meeting back at its council chambers after lockdown, councillors voted to maintain the district’s current first-past-the-post voting methods.
It has been used since the district formed in 1989.
Councils must conduct a review at least every six years.
Masterton and Carterton’s next electoral reviews are not due until the 2022-2025 triennium.
-NZLDR
