The Representation Commission hereby gives notice that it proposes to make a division of New Zealand into 62 General electoral districts and 7 MÔori electoral districts in accordance with sections 35 and 45 of the Electoral Act 1993 and to classify districts for the purposes of the Higher Salaries Commission Act 1977. The following information is supplied pursuant to sections 38 and 45 of the Electoral Act 1993 and for the assistance of the public:
1. From 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 November 2001, the public may inspect, without charge, at the places listed in the Schedule hereto:
(a) a description of the boundaries of the proposed districts, including maps thereof; and
(b) a summary, in respect of each proposed district, of the reasons why the boundaries described are being proposed; and
(c) a classification of the proposed districts for the purposes of the Higher Salaries Commission Act 1977.
The above descriptions in text and map form can be viewed on: http://www.elections.govt.nz/general/repcomm.html
2. The Representation Commission will receive written objections to the proposed boundaries and to the proposed classification, if in the hands of the Commission not later than Thursday, 20 December 2001.
3. Objections must be in writing and should clearly state:
(i) the name, address and telephone contact number (day and night) of the objector;
(ii) the electorate(s) to which the objection applies;
(iii) the specific provision objected to;
(iv) the grounds of the objection;
(v) the precise change(s) suggested by the objector to overcome the objection, both within the electorate and for any electorates consequentially affected; and
(vi) whether the objector wishes to speak briefly to their objection before meetings of the Commission to be held at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and possibly other locations in February 2002.
Notes: Where objection is taken to different proposals of the Commission, a separate objection should be filed in respect of each proposal.
A suggested format for objections is available at the places of inspection.
Objections and counter-objections may relate to the names of proposed electorates.
Whether or not an objector is heard, his or her written objection will be fully considered.
4. The Commission gives further notice that any objection may be lodged either:
by post addressed to The Secretary
Representation Commission
PO Box 3220
Wellington
or by email to representation.commission@justice.govt.nz
or by facsimile to (04) 495 0031
or by hand delivery
before 5.00 p.m. to Chief Electoral Office
Level 9
Sovereign House
180 Molesworth Street
Wellington
5. Late objections cannot be considered, i.e. those received after Thursday 20 December 2001.
6. Objectors to electoral boundaries are requested to relate the grounds of their objections, and the precise changes suggested by them, to the following statutory considerations:
All electorates must contain electoral populations varying not more than 5 percent from the following quotas:
Quota 5% Allowance
North Island General Electorates 54,296 +/- 2,714
South Island General Electorates 54,308 +/- 2,715
MÔori Electorates 53,099 +/- 2,654
Within those allowances, the commission is required by law to give due consideration to certain criteria.
In the case of General electoral districts, these criteria are the existing boundaries of the General electoral districts, community of interest, facilities of communications, topographical features, and any projected variation in the General electoral population of those districts during their life.
In the case of MÔori electoral districts, these criteria are the existing boundaries of the MÔori electoral districts, community of interest among the MÔori people generally and members of MÔori tribes, facilities of communications, topographical features, and any projected variation in the MÔori electoral population of those districts during their life.
7. All objections will be published in a summary form (which will include the objector's name) and will be open for public inspection for the purpose of allowing counter-objections to be filed. A public notice inviting counter-objections is expected to be Gazetted on 10 January 2002.
Dated at Wellington this 12th day of November 2001.
B. J. KENDALL, Chairman of the Representation Commission.
Schedule of Places for Inspection
General and MÔori Electorates
1. The offices of all district councils, city councils, Chatham Islands county and Te Puia Springs Service Centre.
2. The offices of all Registrars of Electors.
3. Te Puni Kokiri (regional development offices) at Whangarei, Auckland, South Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Whakatane, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Gisborne, Hastings, Wellington, Blenheim and Christchurch.
4. MÔori Land Court offices at Whangarei, Papatoetoe, Hamilton, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hastings, Turangi, Wanganui, Wellington and Christchurch.
5. Land Information New Zealand offices (LINZ) at Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
6. Available for viewing on: http://www.elections.govt.nz/general/repcomm.html
Note: Public Libraries will not be Gazetted as places for inspection. Proposed General and MÔori electorates, together with maps, descriptions and reasons, will be available at libraries in those areas where boundary changes have occurred.