S.I. boundary changes likely

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 9

S.I. boundary changes likely

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington A big readjustment of boundaries to South Island electorates looks likely now that the Statistics Department has published the population figures for each electorate after the last census. The number of South Island electorates is held constant at 25 regardless of population changes, but boundaries are adjusted within the South Island every five years after a census to match population movements. The general electoral population of the South Island is 829,446, which

means an average population for each electorate of 33,178. A 5 per cent tolerance above or below this average figure is permitted. There are three electorates whose population has fallen below the 31,519 lower tolerance figure — Invercargill, Clutha, and Waitaki — and four others in the southern South Island — Wallace, Awarua, St Kilda, and Dunedin North.

Although the electorate of Otago has risen above the 34,837 upper tolerance figure, and Dunedin West and Timaru are just below it, the population balance

in the South Island has continued to tip towards the northern areas.

The eight Christchurch electorates average 33,904 and are 5813 electors above establishment. The four northern electorates — Rangiora, Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson — average 34,136 and 3831 electors above establishment.

This gives the Electoral Representation Commission two choices: it can extend the boundaries of the under-populated southern electorates north; or it can replace one of the present southern electorates with a new northern electorate,

extending boundaries south to fill the void left by the replaced electorate.

Either way, the South Island faces important boundary changes before the election due in September next year. The general electoral population of the North Island is 2,258,780, with an average of 33,217 voters per electorate.

This means there will be 68 general electorates in the North Island, two more than last time, according to the Government Statistician, Mr Stephen Kuzmicich.

The two extra North Island seats are expected

to be in the greater Auckland area — one in North Shore-west Auckland and the other in south-east Auckland. The population of the Southern Maori electorate on the Maori roll has increased to 37,805 and it may give up some of its northern area round Gisborne to the Eastern Maori electorate. The Electoral Representation Commission held its first meeting last week to consider boundaries based on these new population figures. It must report to the Governor-General on April 10 next with the final new boundaries.