Submissions

On 3 October, the Otago Regional Council considered the submissions received on its initial proposal regarding the representation arrangements for the Council to apply for the local elections to be held on 11 October 2025 and for subsequent elections until modified by future decisions.

The Council received 165 submissions.

• A number of submitters supported the initial proposal but also recommended the creation of a 5th constituency in the Upper Lakes area.
• A submitter suggested that the Mosgiel/Taieri Community Board area and possibly the Strath Taieri Community Board area from the Dunedin City Council boundary be included in the Dunedin Constituency to retain six (6) councillors.
• A submitter suggested that the overall number of councillors increase to 13 to retain six (6) councillors in the Dunedin Constituency.

Final Proposal

Having considered all of the submissions, the Council resolved to adopt its initial proposal, without amendment, as the Council’s final proposal.

The Council rejected the following key themes raised as objections for the follow reasons:

• Establishment of a 5th Constituency in the Upper Lakes: Council acknowledged the significant population growth in the Upper Lakes area, but felt on the current population data required to be used for the review a 5th constituency would not meet legislative guidelines and may impact fair and effective representation for the remainder of the rural population in the Dunstan region.
• The Dunedin Constituency should remain at six (6) councillors by including the Mosgiel/Taieri Community Board in its boundary: Council acknowledged the communities of interest between Mosgiel and Dunedin, but felt these also existed between Mosgiel and the Clutha region, particularly when looking at ORC’s work. Council also considered this would impact fair and effective representation for the rural population in the remainder of the Molyneux region.
• Increase the overall number of councillors to thirteen (13) to retain six (6) councillors in the Dunedin Constituency: Council considered that given the relatively compact size and form of the Dunedin Constituency area, the representation needs of the community could be effectively supported by five elected members, so the total number of councillors did not need to shift.

Therefore, the final proposal is as follows. 

Council Representation

It is proposed that the Council comprise 12 members elected from four constituencies. The four constituencies reflect the following identified communities of interest:

The population that each member will represent is as follows:

In accordance with section 19V(2), Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each member represents must be within the range of 21,217 +/- 10% (19,096 – 23,338), unless particular community of interest considerations justify otherwise.

All of the proposed constituencies fall within the stipulated range.

Appeals

Any person who made a submission on the Council’s initial proposal may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision. An appeal must relate to the matters raised in that person’s submission.

Appeals must be made in writing and must be received by Council no later than 5pm Tuesday, 3 December 2024.

Appeals are to be forward to:

• Attention — Amanda Vercoe, 0800 474 082
• Physical address — Council offices
  
  • Otago Regional Council Dunedin office: 144 Rattray Street, Level 2, Philip Laing House, Dunedin
  • Otago Regional Council Queenstown office: 1092 Frankton Road, Alta House Level 1, Terrace Junction, Frankton, Queenstown
• Email — governance@orc.govt.nz

Further information

Please direct any queries regarding Council’s decision to Amanda Vercoe (contact details above).

Richard Saunders
Chief Executive
30 October 2024