Representation review

Our Councillors represent different areas of Waitaha/Canterbury. Ahead of the next local body elections in October 2025, Council is proposing that we combine the Ashburton District area with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, to form a larger Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency. This leaves Selwyn/Waikirikiri as its own constituency.

We’re proposing calling the constituencies Selwyn/Waikirikiri and Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi.

The proposal also includes realigning the Christchurch city constituency boundaries to the current Christchurch City Council wards.

What is a representation review?

A representation review looks at the balance of Councillors representing an area with regard to population and geographical areas.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires councils to undertake a representation review every six years.

For a regional council, the review must cover:

  • The number of electoral areas – constituencies (local councils use wards)
  • The boundaries of those constituencies and their names
  • The number of Councillors to represent them.

To ensure effective and fair representation, there are four things we must consider:

  • The number of people represented within each constituency area (population)
  • The alignment of communities of interest within each constituency
  • The alignment of constituencies to local council boundaries or wards
  • How many elected Councillors should represent each constituency (each Councillor should represent roughly the same population +/- 10 per cent).

What was considered

Currently, we have seven constituencies, with two Councillors elected from each one.

Based on current boundaries and population, South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi is over-represented, Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi is under-represented, and our Christchurch/Ōtautahi constituencies do not align with the current Christchurch City Council wards.

Earlier in the year, Council considered some options and asked the community for their feedback. The feedback was closely split between two of the options. Download the full results of the feedback (PDF, 425KB).

The proposal

Council’s proposal combines Ashburton District with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, addressing the population growth in Selwyn/Waikirikiri and allows for a ratio between population and Councillors closer to the criteria set out in the Local Electoral Act.

Feedback earlier in the year showed that was the community’s preferred option.

Note: Mana whenua representation is not included in this review. Our Council has two Ngāi Tahu Councillors who represent mana whenua interests across all of Waitaha/Canterbury. This was achieved through the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022 and is not part of this consultation.

Submissions have now closed.

See documents tab for the submissions report on the Initial Proposal.

Our Councillors represent different areas of Waitaha/Canterbury. Ahead of the next local body elections in October 2025, Council is proposing that we combine the Ashburton District area with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, to form a larger Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency. This leaves Selwyn/Waikirikiri as its own constituency.

We’re proposing calling the constituencies Selwyn/Waikirikiri and Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi.

The proposal also includes realigning the Christchurch city constituency boundaries to the current Christchurch City Council wards.

What is a representation review?

A representation review looks at the balance of Councillors representing an area with regard to population and geographical areas.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires councils to undertake a representation review every six years.

For a regional council, the review must cover:

  • The number of electoral areas – constituencies (local councils use wards)
  • The boundaries of those constituencies and their names
  • The number of Councillors to represent them.

To ensure effective and fair representation, there are four things we must consider:

  • The number of people represented within each constituency area (population)
  • The alignment of communities of interest within each constituency
  • The alignment of constituencies to local council boundaries or wards
  • How many elected Councillors should represent each constituency (each Councillor should represent roughly the same population +/- 10 per cent).

What was considered

Currently, we have seven constituencies, with two Councillors elected from each one.

Based on current boundaries and population, South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi is over-represented, Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi is under-represented, and our Christchurch/Ōtautahi constituencies do not align with the current Christchurch City Council wards.

Earlier in the year, Council considered some options and asked the community for their feedback. The feedback was closely split between two of the options. Download the full results of the feedback (PDF, 425KB).

The proposal

Council’s proposal combines Ashburton District with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, addressing the population growth in Selwyn/Waikirikiri and allows for a ratio between population and Councillors closer to the criteria set out in the Local Electoral Act.

Feedback earlier in the year showed that was the community’s preferred option.

Note: Mana whenua representation is not included in this review. Our Council has two Ngāi Tahu Councillors who represent mana whenua interests across all of Waitaha/Canterbury. This was achieved through the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022 and is not part of this consultation.

Submissions have now closed.

See documents tab for the submissions report on the Initial Proposal.

  • Proposed map

    In addition to realigning the Christchurch City constituencies we are proposing to combine the Ashburton District with the Ōtuhituhi/South Canterbury constituency. This leaves Waikirikiri/Selwyn (currently in the Ōpākihi/Mid Canterbury constituency) as a constituency on its own.

    The two constituencies would be represented by two elected councillors each.

    Using this map: To turn off and on the current constituency boundaries and city and district council boundaries click on the square icon in the top right corner of the map. To collapse the legend at the bottom click on the square icon in the bottom right corner.

    View fullscreen map.

    Population ratios

    CONSTITUENCY

    Population

    Members

    Population per member

    North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke

    87,000

    2

    43,500

    Christchurch West/Ōpuna

    104,800

    2

    52,400

    Christchurch North East/Ōrei

    102,000

    2

    51,000

    Christchurch Central/Ōhoko

    101,100

    2

    50,550

    Christchurch South/Ōwhanga

    88,300

    2

    44,150

    Selwyn/Waikirikiri

    81,250

    2

    40,625

    Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi

    101,720

    2

    50,860

    Total

    666,170

    14

    47,593


    What do you think? Share your feedback now.

  • The preliminary options

    Council considered several options to realign constituencies to make our representation fair, while also considering which communities share similarities.

    We tested three options with the community in May and asked for feedback.

    • Option one - Retain the status quo (with Christchurch City/Ōtautahi constituency realignment)
      This option kept the North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke, Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi and South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituencies the same and only made minor changes to our four Christchurch/Ōtautahi constituency boundaries, to align with the new Christchurch City ward boundaries.
      The number of elected representatives for each constituency remained the same, two for each.
    • Option two - Merge Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi and South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituencies
      Combine the Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi and South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituencies to create one much larger constituency.
      This constituency was represented by four Councillors.
    • Option three - Create a new constituency combining Ashburton District and the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency

    Combine the Ashburton District with the South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, leaving Selwyn/Waikirikiri (currently in the Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi constituency) as a constituency on its own.

    In this option, the two constituencies are represented by two elected councillors each.

    All options included realigning the Christchurch city constituency boundaries to match the current Christchurch City Council ward boundaries.

    Feedback showed that Option Three was narrowly preferred. Of those within the areas most affected by the proposed changes, Option One was narrowly preferred.

    Download the full results of the feedback.

Page last updated: 27 Sep 2024, 03:15 PM