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New electorate boundaries proposed for next year

Author
Newstalk ZB, RNZ,
Publish Date
Wed, 20 Nov 2019, 3:31pm
Boundary changes in electorates are also slated for places like Selwyn, West Coast-Tasman and the Otago Peninsula. Image / RNZ

New electorate boundaries proposed for next year

Author
Newstalk ZB, RNZ,
Publish Date
Wed, 20 Nov 2019, 3:31pm

Auckland electorates are up for a major shake-up ahead of next year's election.

The boundary changes, which includes a proposed new one for South Auckland, will have a major impact on National MP Mark Mitchell's Rodney electorate, where he'll receive Coatesville and Dairy Flat, but will lose Warkworth and the Kowhai Coast.

The Representation Commission released its report on the proposed boundaries and names of electorates for the next two elections today.

It suggested the number of electorates increase by one to 72 because of population growth.

Changes are proposed to 35 of the 71 current electorates, with the biggest moves in Auckland, Christchurch, Otago and Southland.

In the country's biggest city, a new electorate is being proposed, to sit between Papakura and Manurewa, called Flat Bush.

Down south, boundary changes are slated for Selwyn because rapid of population growth.

The number of Māori electorates remains at seven, however adjustments are proposed for Tamaki Makaurau to cover a bigger area around Te Atatu South.

Meanwhile, a minor change is proposed between Ikaroa-Rāwhiti and Te Tai Tonga in Naenae.

Name changes are being proposed as well.

That includes changing Rodney to Whangaparaoa, Hunua to Port Waikato, Rimutaka to Remutaka and Port Hills to Banks Peninsula.

The public will get their change to have a say over the coming months, along with public hearings, before boundaries are finalised in April.

- text by RNZ

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