PUBLIC TO DECIDE ON STV

The public in Whangarei will finally have a say about the voting method used to elect their mayor and councillors. A choice between the Single Transferable Vote (STV) or First Past the Post (FPP) system will be put to voters at the 2028 local body elections.

STV was used for the first time in last year’s local body election after the previous council voted by a narrow majority to change from FPP. They did so without consulting the public.

 Cr Marie Olsen took the view that this needed to be corrected and moved a motion in two parts. The first was for FPP to be reinstated for the 2028 election. She was supported by Crs Baldwin, Martin, M Yovich, P Yovich, Reid, and Flower. Against were Mayor Couper (casting vote), and Crs McKenzie, Baker, Connop, Christie, Harding, and Ruka. The second part of the motion, to hold a referendum in 2028, was carried unanimously