2024 Representation Review

View a map that compares the old general wards with the new ones.

Note: Click on the slider button seen at the top left of the map page to scroll between the old and new:

For Napier’s population and proposed council size, there is the possibility of having either one Māori ward with two councillors, or two Māori wards with one councillor each.

Council voted to have one Māori ward with two representatives for the following reasons.

• There will be two councillors working together.
• Will have a similar number of councillors to some of Napier’s general wards.
• Collective responsibility.
• Easier selection process for voters.

Why does the representation arrangement include Māori wards?

In 2021, Napier City Council consulted with the community on whether to introduce Māori wards to Napier. Following this consultation, Council made the decision to introduce Māori wards at the 2025 local authority elections. This means we also had to confirm how many Māori wards and councillors for these wards Napier should have, so we’re ready for the next election.

In 2024, the Government introduced legislation requiring councils to hold a binding poll if they want to establish Māori wards, or if they had previously made a decision to establish Māori wards without a poll. The legislation allowed councils the chance to avoid a poll, by quashing any previous decision made to introduce Māori wards before 6 September 2024. On 5 September, Napier City Council reaffirmed its decision to introduce Māori wards from the 2025 triennium. This means we must hold a poll at the 2025 election. The poll will ask the community whether Napier should keep Māori wards beyond the 2025-2028 council term. If the community’s answer is no, then Māori wards will be removed from the 2028 election. A further representation review would need to be completed before 2028.

Community boards have functions and powers delegated to them by their councils. The cost of community boards is funded through rates. Napier doesn't have community boards.

In our first Representation Review community survey in 2023, we asked whether community boards would be appropriate for Napier. Most said Napier does not need them, and 33% across Napier expressed support. However, there was positive feedback from residents based in and near Maraenui to establish a community board there.

In a second survey in May 2024, we sought views on establishing a single community board for Maraenui and surrounding areas. 64% of respondents from Maraenui and 53% of respondents from Nelson Park ward expressed support. However, feedback did not reach a consensus across the city, with 45% against, 41% in favour, and 14% unsure or neutral. 

After considering this feedback and acknowledging there are other ways to strengthen local community representation, Council did not propose any community boards for Napier.