7 September 2023 - For immediate release
Council retains First Past the Post Electoral System for 2025
LAST week the Kawerau District Council unanimously agreed to retain the First Past the Post voting system for the 2025 local body elections.
The decision was made at the Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Kawerau District Council on Wednesday September 6.
Council had invited Election Services in (via video link) to present the two systems and to give an overview of which Councils may have moved to the single tranferrable system.
There was good robust discussion and Councillors asked probing questions. Election Services Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske outlined that in 2022, only 15 of 78 territorial authorities (local and regional councils) used the single transferrable voting system. In all cases, there had been a marked drop in voter turnout when the STV system was introduced.
Kawerau District Council were unanimous in keeping the First Past the Post voting system for the 2025 election.
Choosing the First Past the Post voting system was the first decision in a three-step process that Kawerau District Council must undertake as part of the electoral review process.
The Council also resolved unanimously to consider whether to introduce one or more Māori wards for the Kawerau District Council for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections and that public/iwi consultation takes place regarding this during September and October 2023. Councils must make the decision regarding Māori wards in principle by 23 November 2023.
The third resolution moved by Mayor Faylene Tunui, seconded by Councillor Rowena Andrews, was to undertake a representation arrangements review of the Council in the New Year. Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, Council must undertake this representation review no later than by 31 July 2024.
The Mayor raised that despite the Future for Local Government’s Review signalling that Single Transferrable Voting (STV) system may be better suited it is more complex and not well understood. Mayor Tunui raised an objection to the education of this system, falling on the shoulders of the local community.
Recommendations from the Extra Ordinary Meeting on September 6 are as follows:
Recommendation 1
THAT the report `Electoral Decisions’ be received; and that pursuant to section 27 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 Council resolves for the 2025 Kawerau District Council triennial elections to:
(i) Retain the First Past the Post electcoral system;
and that public notice be given by 19 September 2023 of the decision and of the right of electors to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used;
Moved Cr Julian / Seconded Cr Godfery (Unanimously passed by all 7 present - six Councillors and Mayor)
Recommendation 2
THAT pursuant to section 19ZA of the Local Electoral Act 2001, Council considers whether to introduce one or more Māori wards for the Kawerau District Council for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections and that public/iwi consultation takes place regarding this during September and October 2023;
Moved Cr Ion / Seconded (Unanimously passed by all 7 present - six Councillors and Mayor)
3. THAT pursuant to clause 1, Schedule 1A of the Local Electoral Act 2001, Council undertakes a representation arrangements review with an initial proposal required no earlier than 20 December 2023 and no later than 31 July 2024.
Moved Mayor Tunui / Seconded Cr Andrews (Unanimously passed by all 7 present - six Councillors and Mayor)
[ENDS]
For more information, please contact Council Communication and Engagement Manager Tania Humberstone on 027 464 3785.