When looking at boundaries for local representation, we are required to consider communities of interest. These consider:

• A sense of belonging to an area.
• An ability to meet the community requirements for services.
• An ability politically to represent the interests of the community.

Wards are ways of splitting up a council area into smaller areas for election purposes. They serve the same function as electorates for national elections. In the Clutha District there are currently eight wards - Balclutha, Bruce, Catlins, Clinton, Clutha Valley, Kaitangata-Matau, Lawrence-Tuapeka, and West Otago.

An election that is ‘at-large’ means that members are elected from the whole district and not on a ward basis. The Mayor is elected 'at-large'.

With the status quo of one mayor and fourteen councillors this could potentially look different. As an example, some councillors could be elected from wards and some councillors could be elected ‘at-large’.

Community boards typically represent a smaller geographic area or ‘community of interest’ within their council, to ensure smaller communities’ voices aren’t lost in the big picture conversations.

Most members are elected during local body elections although council members can also be appointed to a community board. Note: this would entail an extra cost as currently each ward’s ratepayers pay for their own community board.

No, the pool of remuneration (cost) stays the same regardless of the number of councillors. The Remuneration Authority sets this budget for the district.

Our preliminary engagement will start on Monday 6 May, and finish on Sunday 2 June 2024. We have several ways to provide feedback.

You can complete an online submission here.

Hard copy survey forms will also be available at our Council Rosebank front desk, community libraries and the Clutha isite.

Following feedback from this preliminary engagement, Council will propose how the district is best represented. You will have several opportunities to have your say through this process including another consultation period and submission hearing.

Please note these numbers are based on population data provided by Statistics NZ estimated as of June 2023, which are based on the 2018 census.

There will be a public Council workshop, where the results of the early engagement will be presented to Council and these inform a drafting of scenarios to inform an initial proposal of possible change options.

This will be followed by an initial proposal to Council on 25 July 2024, where Council will decide on an option to formally consult on. This consultation will happen in 1 August - 2 September 2024.