LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION

Media Release
28 March 2007

Commission announces decision on representation arrangements for the Hastings District Council

The Local Government Commission today announced its decision on the Hastings District Council’s membership and ward arrangements for the 2007 local elections.

After considering appeals and objections against the Council’s proposal, the Commission has decided that:

* the Council will comprise a mayor and 14 councillors elected as follows:

Ward Councillors
Hastings Ward 6
Havelock North Ward 2
Flaxmere Ward 2
Heretaunga Ward 2
Mohaka Ward 1
Kahuranaki Ward 1

* the Hastings District Rural Community Board is retained with four subdivisions for electoral purposes.

The Commission’s decision differs from the Council’s proposal by –
- retaining a full ward system rather than a mixed ward and at large system for electing councillors;
- a total of 14 councillors rather than the Council’s proposed 11;
- renaming the Northern Ward as the Mohaka Ward and the Southern Ward as the Kahuranaki Ward; and
- some ward boundary alterations affecting the Heretaunga and Havelock North Wards.

A copy of the Commission’s determination is available on the Commission’s website at www.lgc.govt.nz

ENDS