Date: April 11, 2013

Hastings and Havelock North to combine for local government elections

Hastings and Havelock North urban residents will vote together for their councillors at the 2013 Local Government elections in October.

The Local Government Commission has released its decision on ward boundaries and representation for the upcoming elections and has determined that Hastings and Havelock North will be combined into one ward to be represented by 8 councillors.

The commission has based its decision on the +/- 10% rule which requires that all wards must be relatively equal in the population represented by each councillor.

Council Chief Executive Ross McLeod says “It is a bit of a surprise to council that the commission has decided to combine Hastings with Havelock North – it is a different approach from the proposal that was adopted by Council and subsequently appealed.”

“However, the commission has recognised that Hastings and Havelock North communities are in close proximity to each other, and that many people who live in Havelock North work in Hastings and vice versa,” said Mr McLeod. “Representation around the council table for the combined ward will be unchanged, with 8 councillors to be elected. It is also worth noting that two of the current Hastings ward councillors actually reside in Havelock North.”

A Council resolution that a number of community boards be set up has also been rejected by the commission.

The commission’s ruling shows that the number of councilors representing the district will be unchanged at 14 and will be made up as follows:

Kahuranaki 1
Mohaka 1
Flaxmere 2
Heretaunga 2
Hastings-Havelock North 8

One minor boundary adjustment has been made which will allow the Lyndhurst area to be included in Hastings-Havelock North ward.

The Hastings District Rural Community Board remains unchanged.

ENDS

© Scoop Media