Wanaka’s community board and wider issues of local democracy are under the spotlight after the resignation of the board’s liaison manager and the announcement of a representation review scheduled for next year.

Upper Clutha liaison manager Robyn Steel, who took up the new position in early March, resigned last month for family reasons.

Her role, which is based mostly in the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Wanaka office, is currently being advertised and applications close tomorrow (Friday October 9).

QLDC governance, engagement and communications manager Naell Crosby-Roe said early this year one of the role’s key priorities was to ensure the Wanaka Community Board (WCB) is making the most of its opportunities.

Wanaka is a community of interest distinct from Queenstown. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The manager’s position was established after mayor Jim Boult campaigned in 2019 to win the hearts and minds of Wanaka Ward voters. Jim promised to attend WCB meetings, but has not attended one board meeting since he was returned to office in 2019.

Upper Clutha Liaison manager Robyn Steel has resigned after seven months in the role. PHOTO: Supplied

The WCB has four elected members, one of whom is the chair, and is supported by three Wanaka Ward based councillors who also attend board meetings. 

According to its terms of reference, the board is meant to meet every six weeks. Since the local government elections last year the WCB has held five formal public meetings, with one conducted online during COVID-19 restrictions.

Representation review planned

Early last month the council said it planned to conduct a representation review which would consider the number of councillors in the Wanaka Ward and the nature, structure and future of the WCB.

The QLDC agreed to establish an independent panel or advisory group to undertake preliminary investigation of representation arrangements.

Wanaka ward councillor Niamh Shaw said at the time she believed the current elected members “are not truly representative of our demographic”. 

The community board: fair and effective representation

Three key factors must be considered by local authorities when determining representation arrangements: the community of interest, fair representation and effective representation.

Wanaka and the Upper Clutha has a distinct community of interest which generates its own sense of belonging and identity. It is geographically separate from Queenstown and has access to its own social services, commercial/retail goods and industry. 

Fair representation is determined by a mathematical formula applied to the population figures and the existence of a community board has no effect on the calculation to determine the number of councillors in each ward.

The WCB has the authority to make decisions about a wide range of local issues, from cemeteries to artworks and CCTV surveillance. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The most important factor is effective representation, based on the constituents’ ability to access their elected members - not on population. The total population of the two wards is irrelevant when determining effective representation.  

The Wanaka Ward’s population is spread across numerous individual communities, from Makarora to Hāwea, Hāwea Flat to Luggate, Cardrona to Glendhu.

District councillors swear an oath to act in the best interests of the entire district. In contrast, WCB members’ only purpose is to serve the best interests of the Upper Clutha.

What can the Wanaka community board do?

Without a community board, Upper Clutha communities would lose the only legal entity that can make decisions locally or recommend action to the QLDC, in accordance with its extensive delegation of responsibilities from council, former board chair and deputy mayor Lyal Cocks said.

The WCB has the delegated authority to make decisions and act on a variety of local issues including parking, cemeteries, sportsfields, lake and river concessions, roading maintenance and temporary closures, as well as the location of public toilets, artworks, street furniture, trees, swimming pool, street lighting, CCTV surveillance, elderly persons housing and footpaths, walkways, tracks and trails.

It is also meant to maintain an overview of services provided to the communities by the council, prepare submissions on community expenditure to council’s draft Annual Plan and Ten Year Plan, and communicate with community organisations, such as residents’ associations, and special interest groups. And it has the power to recommend rates and charges to be levied in the Wanaka Ward, particularly those relating to water, sewerage, roading, tourism promotion and parking.

“An active board which fully uses its delegated authority and responsibilities can reduce the burden on councillors,” Lyal said.

Former WCB chair wants wide review

During the 2018 representation review, former WCB chair Rachel Brown (who resigned in 2018) submitted on the need for a “complete review” of the current governance model.

Former WCB chair Rachel Brown wants a blue sky review of representation. PHOTO: Wanaka App

She said the representation model has been the same for almost 30 years, and “something else may work better”.

Rachel told the Wanaka App a “true, blue sky” review by a representative, independent panel would be a positive thing.

“We need to find out whether people do feel represented, and we need to find the most effective way for people to feel represented. You’ve got to feel you've got a voice, and someone will listen to you and consider what you have to say. What is the best democratic model for our area?

“The reason I have supported the community board is that democracy is the bottom line,” she said, adding that different communities of interest must be represented.

“But a community board only works if people understand and support its role, including council staff.”

Rachel said she didn’t believe the addition of an extra Wanaka Ward councillor would ensure that. “It’s just one more vote around the table but it’s still a minority,” she said.

Rachel said there are “all sorts of ways” to ensure that communities of interest, such as Wanaka, are represented. Some councils have chosen to adopt a lot of wards, and there can be specific votes within wards. 

“And we’ve got some very strong community associations that try to have that voice. Do they have a good way of feeding into council?” she said.

“A fresh look is a great idea.”

Next steps

The QLDC has agreed to establish an independent panel or advisory group to undertake preliminary investigation of representation arrangements. The group of five will comprise three invited members and two members of the public selected through an expressions of interest process.

Full public consultation of the review is a requirement and the hearing process is planned around August/September next year.