Rotorua Splits Over FPP V.S STV

Rotorua’s Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee of Council voted 7: 5 against switching from a First Past the Post (FPP) to a Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. This was in a context where a backlash had just forced Rotorua’s Council to reverse its decision to buy mud from South Korea, and caused it to bring forward a distracting PR campaign about becoming bilingual.

“The RDRR is amazed that the reasons given by councillors for rejecting STV flatly contradict the neutral and expert advice given by the Council’s Electoral Officer,” said RDRR Chair Glenys Searancke. “We may petition for a binding poll to have the decision reversed, if the final decision by Council on 24 August remains unchanged and they refuse to consult the people. Like the mud, it is another case of very poor judgment.”

“Crs Donaldson, Sturt and Kent rejected STV because it will not improve voter turnout, although neither system improves turnout,” reported Reynold Macpherson, RDRR Secretary. “Cr Sturt rejected STV because it might favour bloc voting, although neither independent nor bloc candidates are advantaged by either system. Cr Kent rejected Parliament’s reasons for making STV compulsory in DHB elections; it is fairer and gets better representation. Crs Donaldson and Gould rejected STV because it confuses them. Crs Tapsell and Raukawa-Tait, and Lakes Community Board Chair Thomas, gave no reasons for rejecting STV. The Mayor was absent.”

“Cr Hunt and Rural Community Board Chair Trumper argued that FPP unfairly favours incumbents, limits choices to ticks, and causes many more votes to be wasted when used alongside STV voting,” said Rosemary MacKenzie, RDRR Treasurer. “They conceded that STV takes a little longer to count but generates better representation because minorities’ preferences get considered. Crs Bentley and Kumar, and Te Arawa Board representative Berryman-Kemp agreed strongly, on principle.”

The RDRR is currently consulting its near 500 members about petitioning for a binding poll if Council rejects STV and refuses to consult or to hold a poll. Their greatest concern is that the estimated cost of a poll ($100,000) will be added to the Council’s debt of about $170 million. Nevertheless, their greatest hope is that switching to STV will improve the fairness and representation of local elections, and replace the FPP elections that have resulted in poor quality local government and profligate legacy and vanity projects.

ENDS

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