Constituencies

• What we proposed

  As part of the review, population statistics indicated non-compliance with fair representation guidelines in the Waihou general constituency.

  To address this, Waikato Regional Council consulted over four weeks in May and June on a proposal to modify the boundary of the Waihou constituency to include the Waihi and Paeroa rural areas—currently in the Thames-Coromandel constituency—to meet the requirements for fair representation.
• What we heard

  Ten submissions on the proposal were received, with three submitters being heard during the 25 July council meeting.  

  • Read the submissions (see pages 190-200)
    Ext. link
• What we decided

  In a 12-2 vote at the meeting on 25 July, councillors adopted the proposed change to the Waihou constituency. This will involve approximately 2400 people from the Thames-Coromandel constituency being incorporated into the Waihou constituency.

  The decision was publicly notified on 2 August, providing the opportunity for appeals to be lodged by submitters by 6 September, for a final determination by the Local Government Commission.

  • Read the council agenda
    Ext. link
  • Recording of the meeting, including hearings - part 1
    Ext. link
  • Recording of the meeting, including hearings - part 2
    Ext. link

Read the public notices

• Public notice - Final representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections

  On 2 August 2024, Waikato Regional Council gave public notice of its final proposal for representation arrangements to apply for the Council for the elections to be held on 11 October 2025. Notification of the right to appeal was also given. No appeals were received in respect of the resolution, therefore the representation arrangements for the Waikato Regional Council’s 2025 local elections will be the same as in the final proposal.

  Council representation

  The Council will comprise 14 members elected from eight constituencies. The eight constituencies reflect the following identified communities of interest:

  Constituency	Community of interest
  Thames-Coromandel general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the Thames-Coromandel District and a portion of the Hauraki District.
  Waihou general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the South Waikato District, Matamata-Piako District, Arahiwi (a small area within the Rotorua Lakes District) and part of the Hauraki District. This includes the Waihi and Paeroa rural areas.
  Waikato general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the Waikato District.
  Taupō-Rotorua general constituency	This constituency comprises of Taupō District and Rotorua Lakes District.
  Hamilton general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of Hamilton City.
  Waipā-King County general constituency	This constituency comprises Waipā District, Ōtorohanga District and Waitomo District.
  Ngā Tai ki Uta Māori constituency	This constituency comprises Thames-Coromandel District, Hauraki District, Matamata-Piako District, Waipā District, Ōtorohanga District, South Waikato District, Waitomo District, Taupō District and Rotorua District.
  Ngā Hau e Whā Māori constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of Hamilton City and Waikato District.

   

  The population that each member will represent is as follows:

  Constituency	Latest electoral population	Members	Population per member
  Thames-Coromandel	36,500	1	36,500
  Waikato	74,200	2	37,100
  Waihou	66,500	2	33,250
  Taupō-Rotorua	37,000	1	37,000
  Hamilton	157,400	4	39,350
  Waipā-King County	70,700	2	35,350
  Ngā Hau e Whā	43,800	1	43,800
  Ngā Tai ki Uta	36,400	1	36,400

  In accordance with section 19V(2), Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each member represents is within the range of:

  • General constituencies = 36,860 + / - 10% (33,170 to 40,550)
  • Māori constituencies = 40,150 + / - 10% (36,140 to 44,170).

   

  Further information

  Any queries regarding the Council’s decision should be directed to:

  Attention – Mali Ahipene

  • Email: elections@waikatoregion.govt.nz
  • Postal address: Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240
  • Physical address: 160 Ward Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204

   
• Public notice - Final proposal for representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections

  Published: 2 August 2024

  Submissions

  On 25 July 2024, Waikato Regional Council reviewed submissions on its initial proposal regarding representation arrangements for the local elections scheduled for 11 October 2025. The Council received 10 submissions. Three submissions supported the Council’s proposal. Seven submissions objected to various elements of the proposal:

  • While three submissions supported maintaining two Māori constituencies, three opposed it. One submission further objected to the principle of Māori representation.
  • While three submissions endorsed maintaining 14 elected members, one suggested reducing the number by one.
  • During the hearings, one submitter advocated for increasing the number of elected members to 15, adding one specifically for the Hamilton general constituency.
  • Another submitter advocated for effective representation for the Coromandel Peninsula.
  • While four submissions supported modifying the boundary of the Waihou general constituency, two opposed it.
  • While two submissions favoured retaining six general constituencies, one suggested splitting the Waihou and King Country constituencies.
  • Two submissions highlighted flaws in the 2018 census data and recommended using the 2023 census for representation decisions.

  Final proposal

  After considering all submissions, the Council resolved to adopt its initial proposal as the final proposal, citing the following reasons:

  • The proposal aims to preserve effective representation of existing communities of interest throughout the region.
  • It addresses the representation imbalance in the Waihou general constituency by modifying the northeastern boundary.
  • The modification recognises the importance of the Waihou-Piako River Catchment and enhances representation in this area.

  The Council rejected other matters raised in submissions for these reasons:

  • Māori representation was addressed prior to the representation review process, as required by the Local Electoral Act. Consequently, the Council reconfirmed Māori representation in August 2023. Therefore, the principle of Māori representation is outside the scope of the current review process. The review can address the number of constituencies, their boundaries and names. Given the current structure's effectiveness, the support for retaining two Māori constituencies and general submission comments on Māori representation, the Council decided to maintain two Māori constituencies.
  • It is also noted that the Waikato Regional Council is not affected by the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024. This Act requires other councils to decide whether to revoke or rescind Māori wards or constituencies, or to hold a poll on their establishment at the 2025 local elections.
  • Waikato Regional Council serves the third-highest population among regional councils and is the fourth largest in physical size. The number of councillors for regional councils must be between six and 14. Given the population and size of the Council’s area, 14 councillors better enables effective representation of communities. Most submissions supported maintaining the current number of elected members (14).
  • The Hamilton City area has a total electoral population of 185,300. For Waikato Regional Council, this includes four elected members in the Hamilton general constituency representing 157,400, and one elected member in the Ngā Hau e Whā Māori constituency representing 27,900 constituents. Representation is within the 10% +/- fair representation rule, ensuring constituents are neither over- nor underrepresented.
  • The Coromandel Peninsula area is represented by one elected member in the Thames-Coromandel general constituency and one in the Ngā Tae ki Uta Māori constituency. Representation is within the 10% +/- fair representation rule, ensuring constituents are neither over- nor underrepresented.
  • Currently, the Waihou and King Country constituencies are represented by two elected members each. Splitting these constituencies would divide the current Waipā-King Country constituency through the Waipā District Council area and the boundary through the Matamata-Piako District Council area. There is a long history of constituency boundaries following territorial boundaries as much as practicable, ensuring effective representation of communities of interest.
  • While a submission advocated for delaying the final decision until the 2023 census data is available in October, the council cannot do so. The representation review process requires the final proposal to be adopted and publicly notified by 2 August 2024.
  • The populations used are the estimated resident population as at 30 June 2023 provided by Stats NZ. They use the 2018 census as their base. The Council acknowledges the potential impact of population growth and decline on representation. To address this, the Council will revisit its representation arrangements in 2027, sooner than the statutory minimum, to incorporate insights from the 2023 census data.
  • Council has also put forward a remit to Local Government New Zealand advocating for better alignment between electoral population data (based on the latest census) and the timing of representation reviews. By doing so, this will ensure that governance decisions are based on more current and accurate data.

  Therefore, the final proposal is as follows.

  Council representation

  It is proposed the Council comprise 14 members elected from eight constituencies. The eight constituencies reflect the following identified communities of interest:

  Constituency	Community of interest
  Thames-Coromandel general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the Thames-Coromandel District and a portion of the Hauraki District. The proposed modification involves relocating the Waihi and Paeroa rural areas into the Waihou general constituency.
  Waihou general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the South Waikato District, Matamata-Piako District, Arahiwi (a small area within the Rotorua Lakes District) and part of the Hauraki District. The proposed modification involves the inclusion of the Waihi and Paeroa rural areas.
  Waikato general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the Waikato District (status quo).
  Taupō-Rotorua general constituency	This constituency comprises of Taupō District and Rotorua Lakes District (status quo).
  Hamilton general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of Hamilton City (status quo).
  Waipā-King County general constituency	This constituency comprises Waipā District, Ōtorohanga District and Waitomo District (status quo).
  Ngā Tai ki Uta Māori constituency	This constituency comprises Thames-Coromandel District, Hauraki District, Matamata-Piako District, Waipā District, Ōtorohanga District, South Waikato District, Waitomo District, Taupō District and Rotorua District (status quo).
  Ngā Hau e Whā Māori constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of Hamilton City and Waikato District (status quo).

   

  Constituency	Latest electoral population	Members	Population per member
  Thames-Coromandel	36,500	1	36,500
  Waikato	74,200	2	37,100
  Waihou	66,500	2	33,250
  Taupō-Rotorua	37,000	1	37,000
  Hamilton	157,400	4	39,350
  Waipā-King County	70,700	2	35,350
  Ngā Hau e Whā	43,800	1	43,800
  Ngā Tai ki Uta	36,400	1	36,400

  In accordance with section 19V(2) (Local Electoral Act 2001) the population that each member represents is within the range of:

  • General constituencies = 36,860 + / - 10% (33,170 to 40,550)
  • Māori constituencies = 40,150 + / - 10% (36,140 to 44,170).

  Appeals

  Any person who made a submission on the Council’s initial proposal may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision. An appeal must relate to the matters raised in that person's submission.

  Appeals must be made in writing and must be received by Council no later than 6 September 2024.

  Appeals are to be forwarded to:

  Attention – Mali Ahipene

  • Email: elections@waikatoregion.govt.nz
  • Postal address: Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240
  • Physical address: 160 Ward Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204

  If any appeals are received, the Council must forward the appeal(s) and relevant information to the Local Government Commission for determination.

  Chris McLay
  Chief Executive Officer
• Public notice - Initial proposal for representation arrangements for the 2025 local elections

  Published: 8 May 2024

  On 24 April 2024, Waikato Regional Council reviewed its representation arrangements, and resolved that the following proposal apply for the Council for the elections to be held on 11 October 2025:

  Council Representation

  The initial proposal is based on current representation arrangements to maintain continuity wherever possible. However, the primary focus lies in addressing the existing representation imbalance by modifying the northeastern boundary of the Waihou general constituency. Looking ahead, Council acknowledges that other constituencies may face similar issues in the coming years due to population growth and shift. While detailed 2023 census data won’t be available until after the current representation review, Council intends to revisit arrangements as soon as legislatively possible to allow better alignment with insights from the census data.

  It is proposed that the Council comprise 14 members elected from eight wards. The eight wards reflect the following identified communities of interest:

  Constituency	Communities of interest
  Thames-Coromandel general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the Thames-Coromandel District and a portion of the Hauraki District. The proposed modification involves relocating the Waihi and Paeroa Rural areas into the Waihou general constituency.
  Waihou general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the South Waikato District, Matamata Piako District, Arahiwi (a small area within the Rotorua Lakes District) and part of the Hauraki District. The proposed modification involves the inclusion of the Waihi and Paeroa Rural areas.
  Waikato general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of the Waikato District (status quo).
  Taupō-Rotorua general constituency	This constituency comprises of Taupō District and Rotorua Lakes District (status quo).
  Hamilton general constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of Hamilton City (status quo).
  Waipā-King Country general constituency	This constituency comprises Waipā District, Ōtorohanga District and Waitomo District (status quo).
  Ngā Tai ki Uta Māori constituency	This constituency comprises Thames-Coromandel District, Hauraki District, Matamata Piako District, Waipā District, Otorohanga District, South Waikato District, Waitomo District, Taupō District and Rotorua District (status quo).
  Ngā Hau e Wha Māori constituency	This constituency comprises the entirety of Hamilton City and Waikato District (status quo).

  The population that each member will represent is as follows:

  Constituency	Population	Members	Pop per member
  Thames- Coromandel	36,500	1	36,500
  Waikato	74,200	2	37,100
  Waihou	66,500	2	33,250
  Taupō-Rotorua	37,000	1	37,000
  Hamilton	157,400	4	39,350
  Waipā-King Country	70,700	2	35,350
  Ngā Hau e Whā	43,800	1	43,800
  Ngā Tai ki Uta	36,400	1	36,400
  Total	522,500	14

  In accordance with section 19V(2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, each member’s represented population must fall within a range of +/- 10%. However, specific community of interest considerations may justify deviations from this requirement. The population ranges are as follows: for general constituencies, the range is 33,173 to 40,544; for Māori constituencies, it is 36,090 to 44,110. Consequently, the initial proposal adheres to the provisions of section V(2).

  Further Information

  Copies of the Council’s resolution and maps setting out the areas of the proposed wards, communities and subdivisions may be viewed and obtained from Waikato Regional Council Office, 160 Ward Street, Hamilton.

  Any queries regarding the Council’s decision should be directed to elections@waikatoregion.govt.nz

  Submissions are invited

  Persons with an interest in the proposed representation arrangements are invited to make an online submission. Go to www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/constituency-boundaries

  Written submissions are to be forwarded to:

  Email: elections@waikatoregion.govt.nz

  Or post: Attention – Democracy Services, Waikato Regional Council, Private bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton, 3240

  Submissions must be received by Council no later than 7 June 2024.