How Many Councillors And Wards Or Not?

Napier opts for the status quo in their election review, a position supported by Napier residents.

Napier City Council undertook an independent survey in August 2011 to test residents‟ opinions on how they are represented, if any change is preferred and what this would look like.

62% of those surveyed wanted the Council the same size as it is currently (12 Councillors) and a majority wanted the same hybrid system with 4 wards and a mix of Councillors elected at large and by ward. The survey also asked about community boards and the results were equal numbers having a preference for and against.

The Council, in discussions regarding the election review, acknowledged that clearly residents liked what they have, feel well connected in their communities and to the Council. This may change in the future as Napier has hopped from an „at large‟ election to wards then back to „at large‟ several times. The compromise of wards and at large gives voters a greater choice, and this can be reviewed at any time.

The Council will make a decision on this issue at the Council meeting on 26 June 2012.

Mayor Barbara Arnott said “Regardless of Council‟s structure it is people that make communities and cities work. Napier people work in partnership with us regardless of where they live in our small compact city.”