Surprise At Selwyn’s Representation Decision

Thursday, 10 April 2025, 7:09 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

The Local Government Commission sprung a surprise on the Selwyn District with a rejigged representation model for the upcoming local elections.

In a decision released on Tuesday, the commission said the next Selwyn council must consist of a mayor and 10 councillors – including two elected at large.

Rolleston Residents' Association chairperson Mark Alexander said he was surprised by the final decision.

“The outcome is not what I think anyone would have reasonably expected.”

Currently, the district has a mayor and 10 councillors elected from four wards, as well as the Malvern Community Board.

The change is a result of the council’s representation review, aimed at dealing with the rapid population growth, being appealed by the Rolleston Residents' Association.

Under the new model, two councillors will be elected at large (district-wide), one councillor for each of the Tawera Malvern and Te Waihora Ellesmere wards (that previously had two councillors each), and three each from the Kā Puna Springs and Kā Mānia Rolleston wards.

The commission also confirmed the retention of the Malvern Community Board.

Selwyn Council had initially proposed to reduce the number of councillors from 10 to eight and axe the Malvern Community Board.

After considering 616 submissions on the initial proposal, the council made changes to its final representation proposal.

It proposed to maintain the current ward boundaries and four wards but increase the number of elected members from 10 to 11 and retain the Malvern Community Board.

Due to the review proposal receiving five appeals and objections, it went to the Local Government Commission to make a final decision.

Alexander presented the view of the Rolleston Residents’ Association at the commission appeal hearing.

He had noted the council’s final proposal was not part of the preliminary engagement options or the initial proposal, and the community had not had an opportunity to provide feedback.

Alexander said he supported fewer councillors as 11 members would result in over-governance. He also raised concerns about Rolleston being split across two wards and suggested the Malvern Community Board had been dysfunctional and its role can be performed by ward councillors.

On behalf of the Malvern Community Board, John Verry said the board was functioning effectively and supported the 11-councillor model.

The commission considered the current size of the council appropriate.

“There is no demonstrated need to increase councillor numbers for effective representation.

“However, a reduction to eight members may result in unsustainable workloads for individual members in the face of such rapid growth.”

It also noted that “the addition of at-large councillors has not been tested with the Selwyn community” during the process.

“On balance, we consider that the benefits to effective representation of communities of interest from a mixed representation system outweigh the risks of doing so.”

In backing the continuation of the Malvern Community Board, the commission suggested other communities in the district could benefit from community board representation and recommended the council consider it in the next representation review.

“Given increasing urbanisation, we see potential in considering a community board covering all rural areas in the district.”

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