March 27, 2003

MEDIA RELEASE (For Immediate Release)

Electoral Representation To Be Reviewed

Waitakere City Council has decided to carry out a review of its electoral representation in 2006.

This includes options for election of Councillors “at large” (across the whole City), or by wards (the current system), changes to ward boundaries, and whether there should be separate Maori wards. The review will also look at the whether to retain community boards and in what form.

An amendment to the Local Electoral Act (2002) requires the Council to review the current system this year, or in 2006.

At their meeting last night Councillors decided to wait until 2006 to allow for wide consultation and community discussion.

Councillor Greg Presland said that such a major decision needed be debated in detail and understood by the community at large. “And I simply don’t think that we have enough time to do that adequately in the next few months.”

ends