Non-elected committee member voting rights

Kāpiti Coast Mayor Janet Holborow says should Central Government remove the ability for councils to appoint non-elected members with voting rights to its committees, Council’s Risk and Assurance, Grant Allocation Committees, Strategy and Policy, and Environment and Communities will be impacted.

“Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti, which is an advisory committee established under our long-standing partnership with iwi, may also be included. But without the full details from Government the impact on this committee is unclear,” says Mayor Holborow. 

“Council committees have specific delegations. Non-elected members don’t have a vote at Council which is where major decisions around rates, annual and long-term plans, bylaws, and capital expenditure are made.

“Democracy isn't perfect, and with a voter turnout of less than 50 percent, the local government election process doesn't always equate to an inclusive community voice.

“Councillors are elected to decide on the governance structure, including non-elected member involvement where other considerations are equally important. This includes the Office of the Auditor General’s advice that it’s best practice to have an independent chair and members on risk and assurance committees.

“Currently, non-elected locals and independent experts help advise on how we manage risk, how we allocate funding for small grants, and how we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our partnership with iwi.

“These non-elected members represent large communities of interest and provide invaluable knowledge of our local area and cultural and social considerations.  

“Government’s amendment is happening at pace with no opportunity for councils or their communities to submit on this change if it passes the second reading.

“This is yet another example of Government’s over-reach into the affairs of local government.

“A review of our governance structures is an unnecessary distraction when we're already dealing with a three-month-turnaround for amalgamation proposals, resource management changes, further local government systems amendments, and everything else Government has tasked us with while we’re developing our next Long-term Plan during a high-cost economy.”

Membership of Kāpiti Coast District Council committees that include non-elected members are as follows:

Strategy and Policy Committee

This committee is responsible for considering the strategic direction of Council and oversees and monitors the creation and delivery of policy programmes, services and project activities.

Environment and Communities Committee

This committee is responsible for considering the development and review of plans, programmes and initiatives in relation to education, health, justice, housing, social equality, community connectedness and resilience, climate change and environmental wellbeing.

Risk and Assurance Committee

This committee monitors the Council’s risk management and reporting including auditing and health and safety. It has an independent non-elected chair, another non-elected member, and the Mayor and four councillors.

Grant Allocation Committee

This committee allocates grants for five programmes: Creative Communities NZ, Community Grants, Waste Levy, Districtwide Hall Hire Remissions, and the Heritage Fund. Two of the five programmes have non-elected community representatives and a set number of councillors (ranging from two to four).  

Te Whakaminengā o Kapiti

While Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti, established under Council’s long-standing partnership with local mana whenua iwi, works to ensure the Māori world view is better represented and understood in the broader community and considered in Council decision-making. Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa Rangatira each have elected representatives with voting rights. The Council is represented by the Mayor and a councillor.