Representation changes proposal moves ahead

Taupō District Council will now put forward its preferred representation arrangements for the next two local government elections in the district. The move follows deliberations this week on residents’ and ratepayers’ submissions regarding the council’s initial proposal.

Council was required to take a fresh look at how many elected members there are and what communities they represent across the district following its recent decision to establish a Māori ward.

This representation review aims to ensure fair and effective representation for people and their communities, which will in turn strengthen local democracy.

The proposal approved by councillors, now to be reviewed by the Local Government Commission, is for the following arrangements for the 2022 and 2025 elections:

• Taupō Ward (7 councillors). This is the status quo.
• Mangakino/Pouakani Ward (1 councillor). This is the status quo.
• Taupō East Rural Ward (1 councillor). This is the status quo.
• Turangi/Tongariro Ward (1 councillor). This is a reduction from 2 councillors.
• One district-wide Māori Ward – Te Papamārearea (2 councillors).
• Mayor elected at large

The council also proposes to disestablish the Turangi-Tongariro Community Board from October 2022, with its role instead to be undertaken by two new council committees, including one to be co-governed between council and Ngāti Tūrangitukua, the mana whenua (the iwi that holds authority) of the Tūrangitukua rohe (area) that includes the Tūrangi township and its immediate surrounds.