Napier residents favour ward-only representation system

Nelson Park ward councillor Maxine Boag says at-large council elections are stacked against low income and minority candidates. Photo / File

The Napier City Council is to consider what kind of representation system should be in place for the 2019 local body elections, with most submitters favouring a full ward system, rather than the current mix of at-large and ward representation.

Although it went against a council staff recommendation that a ward-only system would be more democratic and encourage more people to stand for election, in March this year the majority of councillors voted to consult on retaining the status quo of six ward and six at-large councillors.

Thirty-seven submissions were received during the consultation, held from April 11 to May 17, 70 per cent of which favoured an electoral system of wards only because it is historically linked to higher vote turnout and increased public participation.

A staff analysis of the history of Napier's representation arrangements found that since 1977 there had been three systems - at-large only, wards only and the current mixed arrangement.

Their study showed the ward-only system encouraged the highest voter turnout, the highest number of candidates, and lessened the chance of candidates being the only ones running and being elected unopposed, as could happen in the mixed system.

The mixed system was introduced in 2006 and it was found that since the removal of the ward-only system voter turnout had significantly decreased.

Submitters in favour of the full ward system said their views were backed by the staff analysis that it was the most democratic.

"I would like the full ward system to be adopted as recommended by the council's staff members. I would like Napier to have a better distribution of representation through all strata of society and for areas of deprivation to be better represented. I would like to have every councillor answerable to the people who voted for them via well-contested elections," said one.

Another said that many Napier residents had argued against amalgamation in favour of local representation and participation.

"By supporting the status quo signals that the current council shows that it has little interest in increasing the engagement and participation, sadly giving voice to the current perception that the interests of business and tourism are paramount."

Other reasons put forward in favour of the ward-only systems included the view that ward councillors were more in touch with their local communities, particularly in lower socio-economic areas, and that running for at-large wards disadvantaged candidates who weren't as well resourced as others when campaigning.

Of those who supported the status quo (17 per cent) many did not provide a reason for this preference, although one said they liked being able to vote for a greater proportion of the total number of councillors.

Most submitters were happy to retain 12 councillors and a mayor, and there appeared to be little appetite for establishing community boards.

Nelson Park ward councillors Maxine Boag and Api Tapine voted against consulting on the status quo, part of the reason being that at-large elections were stacked against low income and minority candidates, said Boag.

"At-large elections favour candidates who come from affluent parts of town, because these areas have a much higher vote turnout than low-income areas."

In addition, she said, running at-large campaigns required candidates to have enough money to advertise citywide.

"If a candidate is well known across the city, is an incumbent and/or has enough money to spend on promoting themselves, they have a much better chance of being elected in an at-large election than someone without those resources, especially if they are from minority communities."

Subject to any new or compelling evidence, Boag said it couldn't be ignored that there was a clear majority of submitters in favour of changing to a ward-only system, backed by the comprehensive staff analysis.

Any decision made by the council could be appealed, after which the Local Government Commission would consider the situation and make its own determination.

The hearings will take place 2pm today at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council chambers in Napier.