QLDC Retains Arrowtown Ward for 2019 Elections

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will retain the Arrowtown Ward for the 2019 triennial elections following a recent determination by the Local Government Commission Mana Kāwanatanga ā Rohe.

QLDC Electoral officer Jane Robertson advised that during 2018 QLDC conducted a ‘Representation Review’ which councils are required to complete at least once every six years under the Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA).

“The review revealed that the Arrowtown Ward would not comply with the requirements of the LEA that state a ward’s councillor-to-resident ratio doesn’t differ from that of the wider district by more than ten percent,” said Ms Robertson.

“Recognising the special character of Arrowtown, QLDC sought to reduce the non-compliance by altering the boundaries of the ward to increase the resident Arrowtown population. Despite this the councillor-to-resident ratio remained non-compliant at -12.74% so the decision was automatically referred to the Local Government Commission to make a determination.”

QLDC was advised of the final determination on Thursday 4 April confirming the 2019 triennial elections to be held on 12 October will be as follows:

>        Queenstown-Wakatipu Ward: electing six councillors

>        Wānaka Ward: electing three councillors

>        Arrowtown Ward: electing one councillor

The extended Arrowtown Ward boundary will now take in MacDonnell Road to State Highway 6 and the area of Millbrook. New maps of ward boundaries are currently being produced and certified, and will be available prior to the 2019 election period.

QLDC Communications & Engagement Manager Naell Crosby-Roe said the representation structure emerging from this process will be used for the 2019 QLDC triennial elections, however the Council had resolved to undertake an optional review prior to the 2022 election.

“The Council received a submission during the review which sought a ‘blue sky’ review of the present representation. Arrangements have remained largely unchanged since the 1989 amalgamation although the district itself has changed significantly, therefore Councillors felt there would be value in undertaking the next review sooner than the anticipated six years,” said Mr Crosby-Roe.

The Representation Review enables councils to review the structure of their membership and how Councillors and Community Board members are elected. This includes the total number of members, whether they are elected by a ward or ‘at large’ from the wider district, and the boundaries of wards.

ENDS

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802

Details for the 2019 triennial elections can be found here: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/elected-members/elections/

Key dates for the 2019 triennial elections