Final proposal for representation arrangements for the 2022 local elections

Ōtorohanga District Council considered submissions received on its initial proposal regarding the representation arrangements for the Council and Community Boards, for the elections to be held on 8 October 2022, at their council meeting today. The Council received six submissions on its proposal, and having considered all of the submissions, the Council resolved to adopt its initial proposal as the Council’s final proposal, subject to the amendment - the proposed “District Wide Maori Ward” be renamed as the “Rangiātea Māori Ward”.

Rangiātea is both a place in Hawaiki and point of final dispersal of the migration of Tainui Waka.

It is a mountain of significance in Ngāti Maniapoto territory (Maihiihi area).

It is where Tūrongo and Mahinārangi lived (Tūrongo begat Raukawa; Raukawa begat Rereahu; Rereahu begat Maniapoto - the Māori King’s line), and it is the house of the males atua, the Whatukura, in the uppermost heaven.

Council Representation

Council will comprise of nine members elected from six wards, and the mayor elected at-large. The six wards reflect the following identified communities of interest:

Ward	Communities of Interest
Kāwhia/Tihiroa Ward	The communities of Kāwhia and Aotea together with, but not limited to, the rural areas of Oparau, Hauturu, Ngutunui, Tihiroa, Te Kawa and Honikiwi.
Kio Kio/Korakonui Ward	The area comprising, but not limited to, the rural areas of Kio Kio, Tokanui Crossroads, Korakonui and Ngahape.
Ōtorohanga Ward	The community of Ōtorohanga which covers the township of Ōtorohanga.
Waipā Ward	The area comprising, but not limited to, the rural areas of Rangiatea, Maihiihi, Paewhenua, Whawharua, Otewa and Rewa Rewa.
Wharepuhunga Ward	The area comprising, but not limited to, the rural areas of Waikeria, Wha-repuhunga, Ngaroma, Arohena and Ranginui.
Rangiātea Māori Ward	A district wide ward that reflects the community of interest for Māori electors and those in the Māori community.

 

Community Board Representation

The arrangement for Community Board representation remains the same as it is currently. Details of our two Community Boards are below:

Community Board	Area of Community
Kāwhia	The townships of Kāwhia and Aotea.
Ōtorohanga	The township of Ōtorohanga.

Appeals and Objections

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.

Any person who objects to the final proposal may lodge an objection to the Council’s final proposal. Any objection must identify the matters to which the objection relates.

Appeals and objections must be made in writing and must be received by Council no later than November 30, 2021. Appeals and objections are to be forwarded to Graham Bunn, Group Manager Business Enablement, phone 07 873 4374 or email [email protected].

Further Information

Further information, including all associated reports and documents, can be found on our website https://www.otodc.govt.nz/council/plans-reports/consultations/closed-consultations/representation-review/

Enquiries regarding Council’s decision can be directed to Graham Bunn, Group Manager Business Enablement, phone 07 873 4374 or email [email protected].