Auckland City Local Governance Statement

The Local Electoral Act 2001 provides for a territorial authority to elect its members by either the first past the post (FPP) electoral system or the single transferable voting (STV) electoral system.

The FPP electoral system enables electors to vote for candidates up to the number of positions available, by ticking the chosen candidates names. The candidates obtaining the most votes, are then elected.

The STV electoral system enables electors to rank all or some of the candidate names in order of the elector's preference (eg 1 for the most preferred candidate, 2 for the second most preferred candidate, 3 for the third most preferred candidate etc). The number of votes required for a candidate to be elected (called the quota) depends on the number of positions to be filled and the number of valid votes cast. Once all first preference votes have been allocated, a portion of any surplus votes over the quota are redistributed to the elector's second, third etc preferences. If there are no more surplus votes to be redistributed, the lowest polling candidates are excluded, and their second, third etc preference votes are then redistributed. This system of voting is used for all district health board elections.

Auckland City Council currently uses the FPP electoral system.

To change the electoral system used, the Local Electoral Act 2001 provides that:

• a territorial authority may resolve to change the electoral system;
• a territorial authority may resolve to hold a binding poll on the electoral system;
• at least 5% of electors may demand, by signing a petition, that a binding poll be held on the electoral system.

Auckland City Council last reviewed the electoral system in July 2005, where it was resolved that the FPP electoral system will be used for the 2007 triennial elections.

Auckland City Council now has the option of choosing between FPP and STV for the triennial elections in 2010 and is required to make a decision by 12 September 2008. If Auckland City Council chooses to change the electoral system, there is a process (set out in the Local Electoral Act 2001) it is required to follow.

Whether there is any change or not to the electoral system to be used for the 2010 triennial elections, public notice of the decision is required to be made by 19 September 2008. At this time, 5% of electors may gather a petition to demand that a poll be held on the issue. Electors will have until 28 February 2009 to submit this petition, and if achieved, a poll is required to be held by 21 May 2009. The result of a poll is binding for two triennial elections (2010 and 2013).

Updated July 2008