More information about Napier’s local democracy arrangements

There were many potential options for Napier’s representation arrangements. In coming up with an appropriate option, we considered:

• Whether elections should be by ward only or a combination of ward and at large councillors
• Accessibility, size, and configuration of the area including:
• the number of councillors considered appropriate to effectively represent the views of their electoral area and
• provide reasonably even representation across the area through activities like public meetings and opportunities for face-to-face meetings.
• Identifying communities of interest that are geographically distinct or spread across the district. Communities of interest are about how people see themselves as ‘fitting in’ to a particular area; also using similar facilities as others in the area and facing similar challenges.
• Not splitting recognised communities of interest between different wards.
• Not grouping two or more communities of interest with few common interests.
• Avoiding arrangements that may create barriers to participation with Council.

Your rates won’t be affected even though we are proposing to have less councillors. The total pool of remuneration for councillors is determined by an independent government agency. Napier City Council will have the same amount of money to pay its elected members, no matter how many there are.

In 2021, Napier City Council consulted with the community on whether to introduce Māori wards to Napier. Following this consultation, Council made the decision to introduce Māori wards at the 2025 local authority elections. This means we also need to confirm how many Māori wards and councillors for these wards Napier should have, so we’re ready for the next local authority election.

The Government is introducing legislation requiring local authorities to hold a binding poll if they want to establish Māori wards. The Government’s proposed legislation means that because NCC established Māori wards without a poll, we will have to either rescind that decision, or hold a poll at the 2025 election. The poll would ask the community whether we should keep Māori wards beyond the 2025-2028 triennium. If the community’s answer is no, then Māori wards will be removed from the 2028 election. A further representation review would need to be completed before 2028.

Full Ward arrangement

Wards are various areas within a council’s territory. Each ward is represented by a certain number of councillors, according to its population. In Napier there are currently four wards – Ahuriri, Nelson Park, Onekawa-Tamatea and Taradale.

Adopting a fully ward-based system for electing councillors:

• means representation is likely to be more evenly distributed geographically across the district, although candidates are not required to live in the ward in which they are standing.
• encourages residents to become better informed on candidates and their policies because there are fewer candidates, who may also be better known to locals.
• may improve accountability in that ward and ensure a closer link between Council and residents of particular parts of the district. This could contribute to the effective delivery of local services and facilities.
• may result in residents feeling more able to approach ward councillors directly.
• may enable more effective management of community/council consultation processes.
• could result in potential candidates finding it easier financially, and in terms of time, to campaign in a ward than under an at-large system.

At large

This is when councillors are elected to represent the entire city, not just a ward. All voters can vote for councillors-at-large.

The “at large” option can:

• be seen to give a wider choice of candidates for residents to vote for, rather than restricting them to voting only for candidates from one area of the local authority.
• be seen to remove any perceptions of parochialism from Council deliberations.
• make it easier for “at-large” councillors to take a district-wide perspective.
• may achieve more diverse representation. For example, ethnic minority groups and other interest groups spread across the city could have a greater chance of being elected in an at-large system.
• if residents are given the opportunity to choose from all candidates, may result in increased accountability.

Note: In Napier, we are unable to have a fully ‘at large’ arrangement, due to the introduction of Māori wards. We can have wards-only, or a mixed system (see below).

A mixed arrangement

A mixed arrangement, where some councillors are elected to represent wards and some are elected at large:

• can be seen to provide a balance between representation of district-wide interests and local concerns.
• means that residents can vote for more than just their ward councillor(s), as they can also vote for councillors being elected at-large.
• still provides specific ward (local) representation.

Important points about all options

All councillors, regardless of the area they are elected to represent, make the same declaration to act in the best interests of the whole district. There is no difference in the decision-making role of councillors elected at large and councillors elected to a ward. Ward and at large councillors do, however, continue to represent the areas they are elected from at the council table.

A resident can ask any councillor for help and is not limited to their local ward councillors, if under a ward arrangement.