Council is asking for the community to be vocal about how they wish to be represented locally, ahead of the next local government elections in 2025.

The recently launched Representation Review includes topics such as the number of local councillors, wards, Māori representation and boundaries for the Methven Community Board.

Group Manager Engagement and Democracy Toni Durham said Council was required by law to review representation arrangements every six years, but it didn’t necessarily mean things had to change if the current arrangements were working well.

“First we’re going to do some early engagement that will identify any issues, and based on that community feedback there will be formal consultation in June or July next year.

“If we hear that people want to look at district wide voting, or a single urban and a single rural ward, then those might be options we formally consult on.”

She said the early engagement document contained general questions about the current local election process in the Ashburton District and whether people felt they were adequately represented by Council.

“This will help us know whether we'll need to look further at any specific options for representation or it may tell us our community feels they are represented well, and we can retain our current arrangements for another six years.”

The Ashburton District Council currently consists of a mayor and nine elected councillors. The district has an Ashburton ward with five councillors, and eastern and western wards with two councillors each. A community board represents urban Methven.

Vocal about Local is Council’s early engagement document and it is out now for feedback until Sunday 17 December.

The easiest way to provide your feedback is online at ashburtondc.govt.nz/haveyoursay, paper forms are also available from the Council and Ashburton Public Library.