Council adopts final representation proposal for 2025 election

Following community feedback, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) is proposing to retain a similar representation arrangement to what is currently in place for the 2025 elections.

This means two Councillors for each of the seven existing constituencies, with some minor boundary adjustments to the Christchurch City constituencies:

• Aligning the Christchurch constituency boundaries to the current city ward boundaries
• Altering the boundary of the Christchurch Central/Ōhoko constituency to exclude the Linwood Ward and to include the Papanui Ward
• Altering the boundary of the Christchurch North-East/Ōrei constituency to exclude the Papanui Ward and to include the Linwood Ward.

Chair Craig Pauling says there has been a robust process consistent with the requirements of the legislation. 

“There were submissions and hearings and some robust conversations as we deliberated."

Today’s decision is the next step in the process. Our final proposal is now open for appeals before the Local Government Commission makes its determination—the final step in what has been a thorough process.

A change from the initial proposal

Council’s initial proposal was to combine Ashburton District with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, leaving Selwyn/Waikirikiri as its own constituency. This was decided to allow for a ratio between population and Councillors closer to the criteria set out in the Local Electoral Act.

Community feedback on the initial proposal was closely split, however, the feedback from those in the most affected areas was mostly against the proposal.

After considerable deliberation, Council resolved to amend its initial proposal to revert largely to the existing representation arrangements, incorporating additional amendments to two constituencies.

Appeals or objections to be lodged by 25 November 2024

Any appeals or objections to Council’s final proposal must be lodged by 5pm on 25 November 2024.

Email haveyoursay@ecan.govt.nz (subject: Representation Review) to appeal or object.

Learn more at ecan.govt.nz/representation