New ward voting system proposed for Nelson

Tuesday, 10 August 2021

A draft map of the proposed two-ward structure for the 2022 local government elections in Nelson. This structure (along with the Māori Ward) is the one that has been recommended to council.

The first proposal on the new structure for Nelson’s local government elections has been put forward, with three wards and a mixed voting system.

In May, the Nelson City Council agreed on a proposal to set up a Māori Ward in Nelson for the 2022 and 2025 local government elections.

As Māori Wards can only operate within a ward system, this means the Nelson electorate will also have to move from an “at large” to a ward system in time for the 2022 elections.

At an upcoming meeting on Thursday, council will decide on its preferred representation structure before the proposal goes out for public submissions.

Iwi representatives and Nelson City Councillors together after the Nelson City Council meeting in May, where councillors voted to introduce a Māori Ward for the 2022 local body elections.

* Māori Ward resolution 'just the first step' for Nelson

* Top of the south iwi back Māori Ward proposal

Option 5 in the Representation Review include the possibility of setting up three General Wards in Nelson.

Seven proposals have been included for consideration, with different combinations of wards and “at large” councillors.

The option (4a) recommended to council by staff proposes to divide Nelson into two General Wards and one Māori Ward, while retaining several “at large” councillors.

The first of the General Wards, Central, would comprise the northern, central and eastern parts of the region.

Options 6 and 7 of the Representation Review would divide Nelson up into four General Ward categories.

Voters in this ward would be able to vote for four General Ward councillors, with a population per ward councillor of 6,458.

The second General Ward, Stoke-Tahuna, would comprise the southern urban part of the region.

Voters in this ward would also be able to vote for four General Ward councillors, with a population per ward councillor of 6,370.

The Nelson City Council has voted to introduce a Māori Ward for the next council elections.

The Whakatū Māori Ward would cover the whole electorate for voters on the Māori roll, with one Māori Ward councillor up for election at a population per ward councillor of 3,280.

Along with the councillors in their respective wards, all voters would also be entitled to vote for three “at large” councillors, as well as the mayor.

In the other proposals the number of General Wards range from one to four – with options for either ward-only or mixed system voting.

Prior to the proposals being put forward, 253 people responded to a community survey carried out during June and July.

Two-thirds of responders said they identified more with Nelson as a whole rather than, specific parts of the city.

According to the council report, those who identified with specific areas were more likely to be in southern areas such as Stoke and Tāhunanui, with some emphasis on Atawhai.

Just over half of responders also backed a mixed voting model, which included voting for local ward councillors and city-wide “at large” councillors.

When asked about the possibility of community boards, only a third of responders backed the idea.

The submission period for the proposal will open on August 16.

After public submissions have been received, the council can decide whether any aspects of the proposal are adjusted.

From that point it would be possible for public submitters to appeal the decision, and if it did occur would go to the Local Government Commissions for a final determination.