Representation Review 2024

Consultation on the Representation Review Initial Proposal closed on Monday, 2 September 2024

Clutha District Council is reviewing how it can best represent our communities in the makeup of Council. Your feedback will help councillors shape our wards and community boards.

Consultation is now closed. Check back soon for updates in the Representation Review.


Let's talk | Initial Proposal 2024

Read the Initial Proposal here. Consultation closed on Monday, 2 September 2024.

What is the Representation Review?

Every six years councils review how well people and communities are represented.

A representation review addresses the total number of elected members at the Council table and on communitiy boards, and the way they are elected in the local elections every three years, to ensure councils retain effective and fair representation for the community.

The Clutha District Council last undertook a representation review in 2018 in preparation for the 2019 elections.

You can learn more about representation reviews on the Local Government Commission website.


What do we have now?

Currently, we have 15 elected members, being:

  • 14 Councillors from 8 Wards

    • Balclutha Ward – 4 councillors
    • Bruce Ward – 3 councillors
    • Catlins Ward – 1 councillor
    • Clinton Ward – 1 councillor
    • Clutha Valley Ward – 1 councillor
    • Kaitangata-Matau Ward – 1 councillor
    • Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward – 1 councillor
    • West Otago Ward – 2 councillors


    Please see the map (on right) for ward areas.

  • 2 Community Boards

    • West Otago Community Board - 6 elected members
    • Lawrence/Tuapeka Community Board - 6 elected members

The Current Clutha District Wards

A map of the Clutha District Wards

Click to enlarge

Councillors and Wards

The table below shows how many councillors represent each ward within our district, as well as a breakdown of ration to population per councillor.

WardPopulationCouncillorsPopulation/
Councillor ratio
Difference
from quota
% Difference
from quota
Balclutha Ward5,22041305-44-3.28%
Bruce Ward4,7203157322416.60%
Catlins Ward1,40011,400513.76%
Clinton Ward1,35011,35010.05%
Clutha Valley Ward1,40011,400513.76%
Kaitangata-Matau Ward1,17011,170-179-13.29%
Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward1,23011,230-119-8.84%
West Otago Ward2,40021,200-149-11.06%
Total18,890141,349*

* In accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001, the population that each councillor represents must be within the range of 1,349 plus or minus 10% (1,214-1,484). Bruce Ward, West Otago Ward and Kaitangata-Matau Ward do not comply with this rule.


Community Boards

Our two community boards are represented by 6 elected members each.

Community BoardPopulationMembers
West Otago Community Board1,2306
Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board2,4006

What does the representation review process involve?

Representation reviews are completed every 6 years to ensure fair and effective representation for individuals and communities.

The representation review cannot change the people who are currently elected, but it may increase or decrease the number of councillors elected in the next local elections.

Fair and effective representation

Fair representation means each elected member represents about the same number of people (within +/- 10 percent of the district's population divided by the total number of Councillors). This ensures an equal representation across the district.

Effective representation relates to the Councillors’ ability to represent their constituency and ensure matters important to their electorate are heard.

What decisions have already been made?

For the past year we have been talking to our community about the electoral process, with elected members voting to:

  1. retain the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system
  2. not establish a Māori ward.

The representation review is the third and final step of the process required before the 2025 elections.

We have conducted the preliminary consultation and received 58 submissions from the community during period. Click here for a summary of the general feedback received.

Where to from here?

Council has developed an initial proposal which sets out our preference for representation arrangements.

Consultation on the Initial Proposal closed at 5pm, Monday, 2 September 2024.

Let's talk | Initial Proposal 2024

Click here to read the Initial Proposal.