Ms Molineux had told the commission, chaired by Sue Piper, that Kāpiti was over-represented and it made sense to reduce the numbers.
The five councillors also made a case for getting rid of the ward councillors in favour of all councillors being elected district wide. Four of the five are currently elected district wide. The exception is Cr Ammundsen who is a ward councillor for Paraparaumu along with Peter Daniel.
Mr Haxton said “Cr Ammundsen has been hoisted by her own petard. Hopefully the next ward councillor will devote themselves to being a good and dedicated ward councillor. If she did stand again she should stand district wide.”
Waikanae Community Board deputy chair Jocelyn Prvanov said the outcome was a victory for the boards and for the communities they represent.
“It’s what we wanted so I’m very pleased. Lots of the community Board conversations wouldn’t happen at Council and even if they did they wouldn’t be sure of a fair hearing. We focus on local issues and give them the attention they deserve. Without the boards that wouldn’t happen.”
Cr Molineux and company were successful in their bid to stop the Paraparaumu/Raumati Community Board from having six elected members and one councillor appointed. The commissioners decided to keep the elected board members to four with the two ward councillors now appointed.
Cr Molineux told KCNews the outcome was predictable. “I’m very pleased the debate has begun. I hope we will have mature debate in the future about how the people of Kāpiti can be best represented.”
Mayor, Jenny Rowan, said the Commission agreed with Council’s submission to return the Waikanae boundary to its 2004 position, including Reikorangi and Peka Peka areas. “The Commission has also clearly taken on board the fact that there was no groundswell for change.”
