Initial proposal for representation arrangements for the 2022 local elections

On 26 August 2021, Kāpiti Coast District Council reviewed its representation arrangements, and resolved that the following initial proposal be adopted for the local body elections to be held on 8 October 2022, subject to public consultation in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001. Council will consider public submissions and determine the final proposal on 11 November 2021.

Council Representation

It is proposed that the Council comprise 10 members elected with a mixed representation model, with five councillors elected from three wards and five councillors elected district-wide, plus the mayor. The three wards reflect the following geographical communities:

Ward	Geographical communities
Kāpiti ki te Raki / Northern Ward	Ōtaki, Ōtaki Beach, Hautere, Te Horo and Te Horo Beach communities and the surrounding Tararua Forest Park. The southern boundary is further south than the current Ōtaki Ward boundary down to south of Te Hapua Road and includes three additional meshblocks numbered 1883901, 1883902 and 4011904.
Kāpiti ki Waenga / Central Ward	Peka Peka, Waikanae, Waikanae Beach, Reikorangi, Paraparaumu, Paraparaumu Beach and Nikau Valley communities. This is the current Waikanae and Paraparaumu Wards combined. There are slight boundary adjustments to the northern boundary as outlined above, and the southern boundary as outlined below.
Kāpiti ki te Tonga / Southern Ward	Paekākāriki and Raumati communities and the surrounding rural area. The northern boundary is further north than the current Paekākāriki-Raumati Ward boundary and includes three additional meshblocks numbered 2003601, 2004301 and 1997901.

It is proposed that these arrangements provide effective representation for the district’s communities of interest.

The population that each member will represent is as follows:

Ward	Population (population estimate as at 30 June 2020)	Elected members	Population per elected member
Kāpiti ki te Raki / Northern Ward	10,050	1	10,050
Kāpiti ki Waenga / Central Ward	35,500	3	11,833
Kāpiti ki te Tonga / Southern Ward	11,500	1	11,500
Total	57,050	5	11,410

In accordance with section 19V(2), Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each elected member represents must be within the range of 11,410 +/- 10% (10,269 to 12,551), unless community of interest considerations justify otherwise.

The wards and proposed boundaries comply with the +/-10% rule with the exception of Kāpiti ki te Raki/Northern Ward, which is over-represented with a percentage variation of -11.92%. Population growth in the region since the last representation review, as well as the proposed boundary change between Kāpiti ki te Raki/Northern Ward and Kāpiti ki Waenga/Central Ward, mean the proposed deviation is less than the existing representation arrangements. The Council considers that moving the boundary to address this issue “would limit effective representation of communities of interest by dividing a community of interest between wards” as set out in section 19V(3)(ii), Local Electoral Act 2001.

The reasons for the minor boundary adjustments and combining the current Waikanae and Paraparaumu Wards are to reflect population growth across the district since the last representation review and the effect of this on communities of interest, and to provide for fairer representation to Kāpiti Coast resident and ratepayers.

Community Board Representation

The current Ōtaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu-Raumati and Paekākāriki Community Boards are not included in the representation arrangements set out in this proposal. Instead the proposal focuses on councillors and Council staff working together to foster community-led development, and on new, contemporary ways to help the community engage more directly with Council.

Further Information

Copies of the full proposal including Council’s consultation document and maps setting out the areas of the proposed wards may be viewed and obtained online during all COVID-19 alert levels from Council’s website:

kapiticoast.govt.nz/representation-review

If COVID-19 alert levels permit Council facilities to be open, hard copies will be made available for collection during normal business hours at:

Civic Administration Building, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu
Paraparaumu Library, Iver Trask Place, Paraparaumu
Waikanae Library and Waikanae Service Centre, Mahara Place, Waikanae
Ōtaki Library and Service Centre, Main Street, Ōtaki
Paekākāriki Library, 14 Wellington Road, Paekākāriki (Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30pm to 4:30pm, and Saturdays 10:00am to 2:00pm)

Any queries regarding the Council’s proposal should be directed to [email protected]

Relevant information is also available on the Council’s website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/representation-review

Submissions are invited

Residents and ratepayers with an interest in the proposed representation arrangements are invited to make written submissions.

To make a submission online go to www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/haveyoursay

To make a submission in hard copy please forward this to:

Attention – Andrea Healy
Physical address - Council Offices, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu
Postal address – Private Bag 60 601, Paraparaumu 5254
Email – [email protected]

Consultation is open from Wednesday 1 September 2021 and submissions must be received by Council by no later than 5:00pm Monday 4 October 2021.

Wayne Maxwell
Chief Executive
1 September 2021