Source: Auckland Council
A complex project to ensure Aucklanders have fair and equal representation for the October 2025 elections has reached a major milestone.
Over the past year, Auckland Council’s 2024 representation review has investigated where change is needed to electoral boundaries and the correct number of elected members in each ward and local board area – with public feedback sought along the way.
Councillor Julie Fairey, who has led the project as chair of the council’s Joint Governance Working Party, says it’s been a robust and lengthy process to get to this point, and it’s great to have electoral boundaries for 2025 confirmed by the Local Government Commission so everyone can vote in October.
“We’ve undertaken several rounds of consultation, including a formal Special Consultative Process, had input from many including mana whenua, mataawaka, advisory panels and local boards, and the Governing Body has voted several times to confirm the system now signed off by the Local Government Commission;” says Cr Fairey.
“I really appreciate the mahi (work) the community and Council officers have put in to get this done.”
The council’s final proposals, and objections to them, were considered at a hearing set up by the Local Government Commission last month.
This was the final step to allow the commission to independently assess each of the council’s recommendations and decide the best way forward.
In its final determination, the commission confirmed changes to central ward boundaries, as proposed by the council in its initial proposal, returning Parnell and Newmarket to the Waitematā and Gulf Ward, and St Johns to the Ōrākei Ward.
It approved the council’s final proposal to create new subdivision arrangements in Rodney and Howick, increasing the number of local board members in Howick to 11.
An adjustment to the boundary between Albany and North Shore wards will also be made.
The table below confirms changes approved for the 2025 Auckland local elections.
|
Area of change |
Details of change |
|
Total number of councillors |
20 councillors (no change from 2022) |
|
Ward and boundaries |
Central Auckland ward boundaries North Shore ward boundaries |
|
Number of members of local boards |
151 local board members (includes 2 new) |
|
Subdivision number and boundaries |
Rodney Local Board Howick Local Board |
Detailed maps will be available online prior to the October elections, providing clear information for Aucklanders in the areas where changes apply.
As part of the 2024 representation review, the council considered a reorganisation plan to review the number of local boards in Auckland but the Governing Body decided not to proceed with this for the 2025 elections.
In its recommendations, the commission endorsed a further review of local board organisation ahead of the 2028 elections.
Meanwhile, the current changes approved give voters certainty that representation in Auckland remains fair and effective in keeping with the Local Government Act. The next review isn’t required until the 2031 local elections.
Further information
- The AK Have Your Say webpage contains all relevant information on the 2024 representation review, including the initial and final proposals, maps, political reports, public consultation materials and feedback, as well as appeals and objections received.
