Councillors are local people who put up their hand to be an elected representative of their community. They usually represent a certain geographic area within their city or district, called a ward and often wards have more than one councillor. 

Every six years, councils must revisit their representation arrangements and ask the community if the proposed structure is right for them. Napier’s representation review, currently open for consultation, comes at a challenging time.

As you’ll be aware, a few years ago, Napier City Council chose to introduce Māori wards for the next local election, which is in 2025, and as such our current representation review proposes one Māori ward with two councillors. At the time we consulted widely, held public hearings and deliberated on the issue, because we wanted to make sure we took a qualitative approach and heard from those directly impacted by the change.

Now we need to revisit our decision because central government is mandating a ‘rethink’ of Māori wards. Any council that introduced them without a binding poll (like us) needs to either rescind that decision or hold that binding poll at the next local election.

Timing is complicated for Napier because at the same time we must also complete our part of the ‘normal’ representation review process by October, so we are consulting with the public now (this closes on 8 August). Our proposal suggests one Māori ward and three general wards. 

But by 6 September we need to decide on whether to go back on our decision to introduce Māori wards. Whether we decide to rescind or not, we must consult on that decision too. If, after the consultation, we choose not to rescind, we will then need to hold a binding poll at the 2025 election.

Through the representation review we are proposing a slight change to our existing structure. Our community has told us, through earlier engagement, they are comfortable with a slightly smaller council representing them. We are therefore suggesting we have nine councillors across three general wards and two Māori ward councillors. But we may find that we need to dissolve our Māori ward after just one term depending on this binding poll outcome. 

For some of our constituents, this is an unsettling time. Many have put lots into ensuring they are represented at the council table in a way that works for them. For others in the community the changes won’t have a direct impact. There will be boundary changes if the number of wards change, with about 8,000 households affected.

Talking to our community is an essential part of our decision making. Your vote, your voice and your views are vital to the way local government works. Who sits at the council table on your behalf is crucial to ensure you are heard.

During an election term of three years, we will make lots of decisions for our community. In all of those we must keep our role as a representative front and centre in our minds. A councillor’s role is representative but also governance and the two do not always mesh seamlessly. 

Making sure all parts of our community are well represented is at the very heart of this relationship and this process. In many ways it’s more important than who represents us in Wellington. If you live in Napier I encourage you to get involved in our current representation review, and when the time comes, also give us your feedback on the future of Māori wards. 

Then when the election arrives next year you’ll be voting for people and a system that can truly represent your interests and the aspirations you have for your community. Or, if you have a passion for our town, it may be a good chance to put your hand up too and stand to represent and govern our beautiful city.

Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan