Consultation on Wellington City Council's proposed representation arrangements for next year's local body election begins today.

It is proposed the current arrangements - which cover Councillor numbers, ward boundaries and community boards - will apply unless there is more wide-ranging local government reorganisation in the wider Wellington area between now and then.

The Council's Governance Portfolio Leader, Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon, says the Council, like other local authorities, is legally required to review its representation arrangements every six years. The last review was carried out in 2006.

The Council is proposing that:

• the five existing wards - Northern, Eastern, Southern, Onslow/Western and Lambton - remain
• ward boundaries stay as they are
• the city retains a Mayor and 14 Councillors and community boards for Tawa and Makara/Ohariu.

Copies of the representation proposal, submission forms and maps setting out the areas and boundaries of the proposed wards and communities are available:

• on the Council website
• from all Council libraries
• from the City Service Centre at 101 Wakefield Street
• by phoning (04) 499 4444.

Submissions can be made:

• online:

             Public Input - Representation Review

• by mail using the Freepost submission form
• by emailing representationreview@wcc.govt.nz

Submissions are required by 5pm on Friday 5 October.

Once feedback has been considered, the Council will finalise its proposal and advertise for any objections. If there are objections, these will be considered by the Local Government Commission.