City's electoral system to stay the same

Hamilton City Council’s current electoral system will be used for the 2013 and 2016 local government elections.

Under the Local Government Act, Council was required to review its representation arrangements through a process which included consultation with the public.

Council initially considered a change to 10 Councillors, plus the Mayor. However, after receiving formal submissions from the public, in September, Council voted to retain the current arrangements: six Councillors from each of the East and West Wards, plus a Mayor elected city-wide.

Electoral Officer Anthony Dick says the community had an opportunity to appeal Council’s decision on representation, but with no formal objections filed, the process has been completed, so the status quo remains.

“The current system will also be used for the 2016 local government elections,” says Mr Dick. “We’ll be reviewing our representation arrangements again in 2018, or sooner, if Council wishes to.”