On 16 August 2017 the WDC mayor and councillors met to discuss the way the council is elected.

The briefing notes state:

"Over the next 15 months, there are three separate processes required to be undertaken – consideration of the electoral system, consideration of Maori wards and the representation review."

There are three aspects to the review:

1. The electoral system (a choice between FPP and STV)
2. Maori wards, and
3. Representation arrangements review (defining the wards).

The first of these has already been decided by councillors, and that was to stay with the first past the Post systems, not change to Single Transferable Vote.

A decision regarding Maori wards must be made by 23 November 2017. The third aspect is to be reviewed between 1 March – 31 August 2018.

With respect to Maori wards the meeting notes state:

Maori Wards

• Establishment optional
• Legal obligations
  • Local Government Act sec 4 – Treaty of Waitangi “…. to maintain and improve opportunities for Maori to contribute to local government decision making processes……”
  • LGA sec 14(d) – ‘ a local authority should provide opportunities for Maori to contribute to decision making’
  • RMA changes – iwi participate in resource management and decision-making processes under the Act.
• Consult with hapu
  • Do hapu want Maori wards?
  • Are there other preferred options?
    • Maori Standing Committees
    • Iwi partnership models
    • Maori Statutory Board (Auckland only)
• Others with Maori wards/constituencies:
  • Bay of Plenty Regional Council (2001)
  • Waikato Regional Council (2013)
  • Wairoa District Council (2019)
• If established, formula based on Maori and General electoral populations
  • If retain 13 members – 2 Maori, 11 general 5

 Criteria to establish:

• By council resolution
  • Optional
  • Public notice takes effect for the 2019 & 2022 triennial elections
  • Public notice required by 30 November 2017
  • In notice, right of 5% (2,892) electors to demand a poll
• Public poll
  • Council can resolve or public demand at any time
• for result of poll for 2019 elections
  • resolution required or public demand received by 21 February 2018
  • poll held by 21 May 2018
  • results binding for 2019 & 2022 elections
• cost implication ($90k + GST)