Representation review proposal adopted

The final proposal for the representation review was adopted at the Council meeting on 23 August.  

Council approved the final proposal of the Representation Review which increased the total number of councillors from 13 to 14, increased South Canterbury representation from one person to two, and renamed Christchurch North-Ōrei to Christchurch North East-Ōrei.

As four of the constituencies do not comply with the +/-10% rule of the Local Electoral Act 2001, the final proposal must be treated as an appeal and referred to the Local Government Commission following the appeal/objection period for determination.  The appeal/objection period is from 29 August to 1 October 2018, and the Local Government Commission will make its decision by 11 April 2019.  

Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, every local authority is required to undertake a representation review at least once every six years.  In the case of Environment Canterbury, the Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Act 2016 requires the council to review its representation arrangements before the next local authority election in 2019.  

Final Representation Review arrangements

Visit our engagement site for more information on the appeal/objection process and what representation arrangements are proposed for the 2019 elections.