Representation review - giving a voice to our community

Consultation has concluded


Council asked the community for feedback on its Initial Proposal for the representation arrangements in the Buller District, which is to retain the status quo for the local government elections in 2025 and 2028. 

Under sections 19H and 19J of the Local Electoral Act 2001 (the Act), Buller District Council must review their representation arrangements at least every six years.

Buller District Council last reviewed its representation arrangements before the 2019 local authority elections. Therefore, Council is required to undertake a review before the next triennial elections in October 2025.

As part of the review Council prepared an Initial Proposal that the district keeps its existing representation arrangements (the status quo) for the local government elections in 2025 and 2028. 

The Initial Proposal (status quo) proposed that:

  • Council would comprise ten (10) members elected from three (3) wards and the Mayor elected at large.
  • The district would be divided into three (3) wards: the Seddon Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; the Inangahua Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; and the Westport Ward, represented by six (6) Councillors.
  • There will be an Inangahua Community, comprising the area of Inangahua Ward.
  • The Inangahua Community Board will comprise four elected members and two members appointed by the council representing Inangahua Ward

What was the outcome of the consultation?

Council received ten submissions. Two submissions were in favour of council’s proposal to keep the status quo. Eight submitters suggested changing various elements of council’s Initial Proposal. 

Council confirmed at its meeting on the 30 October that its final proposal for representation in Buller District is to keep the status quo for the number of councillors, the basis for the election, and the boundaries and names of the districts’ wards for the Local Government Elections in 2025 and 2028. Retaining the status quo also means keeping the Inangahua Community Board and its current arrangement.


Council asked the community for feedback on its Initial Proposal for the representation arrangements in the Buller District, which is to retain the status quo for the local government elections in 2025 and 2028. 

Under sections 19H and 19J of the Local Electoral Act 2001 (the Act), Buller District Council must review their representation arrangements at least every six years.

Buller District Council last reviewed its representation arrangements before the 2019 local authority elections. Therefore, Council is required to undertake a review before the next triennial elections in October 2025.

As part of the review Council prepared an Initial Proposal that the district keeps its existing representation arrangements (the status quo) for the local government elections in 2025 and 2028. 

The Initial Proposal (status quo) proposed that:

  • Council would comprise ten (10) members elected from three (3) wards and the Mayor elected at large.
  • The district would be divided into three (3) wards: the Seddon Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; the Inangahua Ward, represented by two (2) Councillors; and the Westport Ward, represented by six (6) Councillors.
  • There will be an Inangahua Community, comprising the area of Inangahua Ward.
  • The Inangahua Community Board will comprise four elected members and two members appointed by the council representing Inangahua Ward

What was the outcome of the consultation?

Council received ten submissions. Two submissions were in favour of council’s proposal to keep the status quo. Eight submitters suggested changing various elements of council’s Initial Proposal. 

Council confirmed at its meeting on the 30 October that its final proposal for representation in Buller District is to keep the status quo for the number of councillors, the basis for the election, and the boundaries and names of the districts’ wards for the Local Government Elections in 2025 and 2028. Retaining the status quo also means keeping the Inangahua Community Board and its current arrangement.

Consultation has concluded