16.1.3 Requirements for effective and fair representation

1. Effective representation for wards and subdivisions  

   • When conducting representation reviews (except in relation to the naming of local boards), the council must ensure that the manner in which councillors and local board members are elected will provide “effective representation of communities of interest within the district” [1].

   • The Local Government Commission Representation Review Guidelines provide further detail [2].

2. Fair representation 

   • When looking at representation arrangements, the council must ensure that electors of any wards or local board subdivisions receive fair representation [3].

   • This relates to the population of each ward and subdivision compared to the number of elected representatives for each ward and subdivision. The ratio should be no more than 10% greater or smaller than the average [4].

   • The council may propose a scheme that does not comply with the ratio required for fair representation in certain circumstances, including where [5]:  

     i) non-compliance is needed to ensure effective representation of communities of interest within island or isolated communities

     ii) compliance would limit effective representation of communities of interest within the district [6], for example the rural wards of Rodney and Franklin.

 

 

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