New wards to take effect at this year’s local body elections

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CouncilPeople & Communities

Published: 21 January 2025

Hutt City Council will work towards the implementation of the Local Government Commission’s determination of how residents should be represented at October’s local body elections.

It will see seven councillors elected from five general wards. Those wards are:

  • Northern General Ward: Stokes Valley, Taitā, Naenae, Avalon (2 councillors)
  • Central General Ward: Boulcott, Epuni, Fairfield, Waterloo, Hutt Central, Alicetown, Melling, Woburn, Waiwhetū (2 councillors)
  • Western General Ward: Manor Park, Belmont Park, Kelson, Belmont, Tirohanga, Normandale, Maungaraki (1 councillor)
  • Harbour General Ward: Korokoro, Petone, Moerā, Gracefield, Eastern Bays, Eastbourne through to Pencarrow (1 councillor)
  • Wainuiomata General Ward: Arakura, Glendale, Homedale, Pencarrow, Wainuiomata (1 councillor)

This sees the disestablishment of the old Eastern Ward, and boundary changes to other wards.

The Mayor, five councillors at large, and one Māori Ward representative, will also be elected.

The Commission also determined that both the Wainuiomata and Eastbourne Community Boards should be retained for at least the next triennium. The Petone Community Board will be disestablished at the next election in October this year.

The Commission’s determination acknowledged Council’s work and evidence-based approach to the Representation Review.

Mayor Campbell Barry says the determination reaffirms significant changes for the next election.

“The new structure comes from a robust process which followed best practice by having an independent panel take the lead. The Local Government Commission’s determination affirmed that approach, with some changes in respect to community board representation. I’m confident we will go into the 2025 election with a structure that will serve our communities well when it comes to representation.”

Mayor Barry thanked all those who took the time to submit on the Representation Review, those who served on the independent panel and provided advice to guide the final proposal, as well as the contribution of all Community Board members past and present.  

Council will work on the planned engagement mechanisms to be approved by the incoming Council following the October election.

The Commission’s determination can be read in full here.