Representation Review 2024

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Kia ora, welcome to the Representation Review 2024 project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including the key decisions, the rationale for why, frequently asked questions, Council's initial proposal, and summary of pre-engagement feedback. Check out the information below, as well as on the right-hand side of this page, for all this and more.


About the Representation Review

We are required to review our Representation arrangements every six years in order to establish whether the Council’s current arrangements for fair and effective representation (number of elected members and structure of wards) meet our communities' needs and expectations.

This was our chance to check in with you about:

  • The total number of councillors for the District and the way in which they are elected – this could be ‘at large’ (by everyone) or by ward (only people living in a ward can vote for a particular candidate).
  • The boundaries of wards, as well as the number of Māori wards, our District should have.
  • Whether we should keep community boards and what their boundaries are.

Final Representation Arrangements

Council considered the 550 submissions received through consultation on its initial proposal, and determined its final proposal. You can read the public notice here and the summary here.

The legislation enables appeals/objections on the final proposal to be made to the Local Government Commission, who then makes the final determination. The Local Government Commission's determination was received on 8 April 2025, and can be read here.

The commission's determination upheld Council's final proposal in relation to Council representation arrangements, but modified its proposed Community Board arrangements.

These changes are designed to better reflect our growing and changing communities, and ensure fairer, more effective representation across the rohe (District).

Every voter will cast three votes: one for Mayor, one for Ward Councillor(s), and Community Board members. Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands residents will vote for a Mayor and their Ward Councillor(s), and are not part of a community board area.

Mayor and Councillors

Council’s structure will consist of a Mayor and a reduced number of nine Councillors:

Mayor1
Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward Councillors2
Kaimai Ward Councillors3
Maketu-Te Puke Ward Councillors3
Waka Kai Uru Councillor (District-wide Māori Ward)1

Community Boards

There will be five Community Boards, each with locally elected members and Councillors appointed from their respective ward:

Waihī Beach Community Board

4 elected community board members

1 appointed councillor from the Katikati-Waihī Beach General Ward

Katikati Community Board4 elected community board members

1 appointed councillor from the Katikati-Waihī Beach General Ward
Ōmokoroa-Kaimai Community Board2 elected community board members from the Ōmokoroa Subdivision

2 elected community board members from the Kaimai West Subdivision

2 elected community board members from the Kaimai East Subdivision

2 appointed councillors from the Kaimai General Ward
Te Puke-Eastern Community Board3 elected community board members from the Te Puke Subdivision

2 elected community board members from the Eastern Subdivision

2 appointed councillors from the Maketu-Te Puke General Ward
Maketu Community Board4 elected community board members

1 appointed councillor from the Maketu-Te Puke General Ward


Why did we have this kōrero?

Councils are required to review their representation arrangements every six years to ensure that we have effective and fair representation for the community. It includes things like where the boundaries of our District’s voting wards go and the number of elected councillors that we have.

We last did this in 2018 and our District has changed since then.

Population estimates show nearly 12,000 newcomers to the Western Bay – an increase from 48,960 in June 2017 to 60,770 in June 2023 – since the 2018 Representation Review. This includes the general electoral population increasing from 43,000 to 53,500 and the Māori electoral population increasing from 5960 to 7240. The District is also becoming increasingly diverse.

Who we are as a community continues to change, so the way you are represented in local decision making needs to evolve too. It's crucial that the make-up of Council seats reflects who we are now, not who we were.


Kia ora, welcome to the Representation Review 2024 project page. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the project, including the key decisions, the rationale for why, frequently asked questions, Council's initial proposal, and summary of pre-engagement feedback. Check out the information below, as well as on the right-hand side of this page, for all this and more.


About the Representation Review

We are required to review our Representation arrangements every six years in order to establish whether the Council’s current arrangements for fair and effective representation (number of elected members and structure of wards) meet our communities' needs and expectations.

This was our chance to check in with you about:

  • The total number of councillors for the District and the way in which they are elected – this could be ‘at large’ (by everyone) or by ward (only people living in a ward can vote for a particular candidate).
  • The boundaries of wards, as well as the number of Māori wards, our District should have.
  • Whether we should keep community boards and what their boundaries are.

Final Representation Arrangements

Council considered the 550 submissions received through consultation on its initial proposal, and determined its final proposal. You can read the public notice here and the summary here.

The legislation enables appeals/objections on the final proposal to be made to the Local Government Commission, who then makes the final determination. The Local Government Commission's determination was received on 8 April 2025, and can be read here.

The commission's determination upheld Council's final proposal in relation to Council representation arrangements, but modified its proposed Community Board arrangements.

These changes are designed to better reflect our growing and changing communities, and ensure fairer, more effective representation across the rohe (District).

Every voter will cast three votes: one for Mayor, one for Ward Councillor(s), and Community Board members. Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands residents will vote for a Mayor and their Ward Councillor(s), and are not part of a community board area.

Mayor and Councillors

Council’s structure will consist of a Mayor and a reduced number of nine Councillors:

Mayor1
Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward Councillors2
Kaimai Ward Councillors3
Maketu-Te Puke Ward Councillors3
Waka Kai Uru Councillor (District-wide Māori Ward)1

Community Boards

There will be five Community Boards, each with locally elected members and Councillors appointed from their respective ward:

Waihī Beach Community Board

4 elected community board members

1 appointed councillor from the Katikati-Waihī Beach General Ward

Katikati Community Board4 elected community board members

1 appointed councillor from the Katikati-Waihī Beach General Ward
Ōmokoroa-Kaimai Community Board2 elected community board members from the Ōmokoroa Subdivision

2 elected community board members from the Kaimai West Subdivision

2 elected community board members from the Kaimai East Subdivision

2 appointed councillors from the Kaimai General Ward
Te Puke-Eastern Community Board3 elected community board members from the Te Puke Subdivision

2 elected community board members from the Eastern Subdivision

2 appointed councillors from the Maketu-Te Puke General Ward
Maketu Community Board4 elected community board members

1 appointed councillor from the Maketu-Te Puke General Ward


Why did we have this kōrero?

Councils are required to review their representation arrangements every six years to ensure that we have effective and fair representation for the community. It includes things like where the boundaries of our District’s voting wards go and the number of elected councillors that we have.

We last did this in 2018 and our District has changed since then.

Population estimates show nearly 12,000 newcomers to the Western Bay – an increase from 48,960 in June 2017 to 60,770 in June 2023 – since the 2018 Representation Review. This includes the general electoral population increasing from 43,000 to 53,500 and the Māori electoral population increasing from 5960 to 7240. The District is also becoming increasingly diverse.

Who we are as a community continues to change, so the way you are represented in local decision making needs to evolve too. It's crucial that the make-up of Council seats reflects who we are now, not who we were.


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Representation Proposal: How do you want to be represented in local decision making?

    Have a view on our Initial Proposal?

    Then take our quick and easy survey - covering these key questions and a few more - that allows you to pick and choose what you want to provide feedback on. 

    It shouldn't take any longer than five minutes.

    Share Representation Proposal: How do you want to be represented in local decision making? on Facebook Share Representation Proposal: How do you want to be represented in local decision making? on Twitter Share Representation Proposal: How do you want to be represented in local decision making? on Linkedin Email Representation Proposal: How do you want to be represented in local decision making? link
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Table Talk Workshops

    We are running a series of workshops giving people the chance to engage in meaningful kōrero with experts on key topics: Māori representation at the Council table, reduction in councillors, and the role of our five community boards. Come and learn something new, and perhaps unpack the things that may have stopped you from joining the kōrero in the past.


    Each table will focus on one of these topics, providing an opportunity to share your views, hear from others and delve deeper into what these changes mean. You'll have the opportunity to move around and spend equal time at each of the three tables, providing you the chance to gain a good understanding of all the topics.


    This is your chance to voice concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback as you rotate through each topic. Your input is invaluable in shaping how we move forward together as a community.


    Event details:

    • Kaimai Ward - Tuesday 8 October, 6-8pm, Western Bay of Plenty District Council Chambers, 1484 Cameron Road, Tauranga 
    • Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward - Wednesday 9 October, 6-8pm, Boyd Room Pātuki Manawa Digital Hub, 21 Main Road, Katikati 
    • Maketu-Te Puke Ward - Thursday 10 October, 6-8pm, The Orchard Church, 20 MacLoughlin Drive, Te Puke
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