35803 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

Written Question

Published date: 23 Aug 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	35803 (2026)
Question asked:	10 Aug 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Local Government
Minister replying:	Hon Simon Watts
Answer received:	18 Aug 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_35803_2026
Document guid:	55260149-f121-446a-a27a-7e8bc0e977b7

35803 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What assessment, if any, has been made of the change in the ratio of elected members to residents in each proposed new unitary authority, and in how many cases, if any, will rural or small-district representation be reduced?

Hon Simon Watts: There has been no assessment of the change in the ratio of elected members to residents in each proposed new unitary authority. This is a matter for councils to consider in the Head Start pathway and during the detailed design phase.