Representation review

The Local Government Commission has upheld the Council’s representation arrangements set out in its final proposal. This means the Canterbury region will retain its existing seven constituencies that are represented by a Council made up of 14 elected councillors (two for each constituency), with minor boundary adjustments.

The representation arrangements apply to the 2025 election local government elections. 

Key points:

• The commission is satisfied that the proposed Christchurch West Ōpuna, Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi and South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency arrangements appropriately balance the requirements for fair and effective representation, even though they do not meet the fair representation requirement (the +/- 10% rule), which is designed to achieve approximate equality of population representation by each member of a council or board.    
• The identification of this Council’s communities of interest has not changed. 
• The Commission strongly supports the Council's recommendation to undertake a further representation review before the 2028 local government elections.
• The Commission recommended the Council carefully consider population growth and projection across the region and its implication on constituencies and fair and effective representation, particularly in high-growth areas.

📖 Read the Commission's determination

Proposed Council representation changes for 2025

Our Councillors represent different areas of Waitaha/Canterbury; two Councillors for each of the seven constituencies.

Ahead of the next local body elections in October 2025, the Council is proposing that we retain a largely similar representation arrangement to what is currently in place, with some minor boundary adjustments. 

The adjustments:

• Minor boundary adjustments to the Christchurch constituency boundaries to align with the current city ward boundaries. 
• Altering the boundary of the Christchurch Central/Ōhoko constituency to exclude the Linwood Ward of Christchurch City, and to include the Papanui Ward of Christchurch City.  
• Altering the boundary of the Christchurch North-East/Ōrei constituency to exclude the Papanui Ward of Christchurch City, and to include the Linwood Ward of Christchurch City.  

View the adopted proposal map and download the public notice (PDF file, 156KB).