The latest population data supplied from Stats NZ indicated that following population growth over the past six years, the Dunstan constituency now falls outside the +/- 10% margin of the average across the region, and thus no longer meets the legislative requirements for fair representation.

In the initial proposal, constituency boundaries haven’t changed, but it is proposed that the Dunstan constituency gains an elected member (moving from three (3) to four (4)), and the Dunedin constituency loses an elected member (from six (6) to five(5)).

Council considered that this will result in more elected member representation in the Dunstan constituency, and given the relatively compact size and form of the Dunedin City area, the representation needs of the community can be effectively supported by five elected members.

es, alternative options were considered, including establishing a new constituency for part of the upper lakes, with various boundaries considered. However, there were challenges to do this within the legislated +/-10% rule (the population per member ratio), without splitting up territorial authority boundaries.

Consideration was also given to moving the Mosgiel-Taieri community board area and Strath Taieri community board area into the Dunedin constituency, however, the end decision was to leave these areas in the Molyneux constituency.

For further information, see the council discussions below:

Link to Council paper 26 June 2024 (page 159)

Link to Council paper 22 May 2024 (page 252)

Link to Council workshop 21 March

Every six years councils must review how communities are represented in the make-up of their council. A representation review looks at the structures in place, including:

• the number of constituencies (electoral areas) and their boundaries
• the number of elected members (councillors) representing each constituency
• the names of the constituencies

The representation review cannot change the people who are currently elected but it may increase the number of councillors (14 is the maximum number of councillors a Regional Council can have).

The last representation review for Otago Regional Council was completed in 2018 and resulted in no change - Council remained having 12 Councillors representing 4 constituencies.

Council must ensure their communities have fair and effective representation.

Fair representation means each elected member represents about the same number of people (within +/- 10 percent of the region's population divided by the total number of Councillors).

Effective representation relates to the Councillors’ ability to represent their constituency and ensure matters important to their electorate are heard.

A ward or constituency (or electoral area) is a specific area or zone. Just like how a city might be divided into different neighbourhoods or districts, the Otago region is divided into different constituencies.

Councillors are elected for each constituency to be the voice of the people on Council for their respective communities, and represent their views in decision making.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 gives the Council the option to consider establishing a separate Māori constituency. Council gave consideration to a Māori Ward in discussions with mana whenua in 2023. At that time, no decision was made to take the discussion further. Council currently has representation through iwi appointees to its governance committees. 

Council gave consideration to the electoral system at its meeting on 23 August 2023, and resolved to change electoral system to Single Transferable Vote for the 2025 and 2028 local body elections. 

The Chairperson and councillors of the Otago Regional Council are collectively responsible for the following:

• the development and adoption of Council policy
• monitoring the ongoing performance of Council against its stated objectives and policies (including signoff of the Annual Report)
• ensuring the prudent use and stewardship of Council resources
• representing the interest of the region