2025 Election Information
How we ensure all Thames-Coromandel residents and ratepayers are represented
So, you might be asking yourself who decides who your local candidates are? To answer this question let’s look at representation arrangements in the Thames-Coromandel.
How board and ward boundaries are decided?
The boundaries for the local boards and wards are related to population.
Much like the 22 electorates for the general election, your local board and ward areas are determined by where you're registered to vote.
You can only vote for local board candidates and ward councillors from the area your address is registered. There are currently 5 local boards and 4 wards in the Thames-Coromandel region made up of 20 board members, 9 councillors and one mayor.
Because the mayor's role is ‘at large’ (represents district-wide) the list of mayoral candidates will be the same for all of the Thames-Coromandel.
Learn more about our current wards, community boards and elected members.
What are representation reviews?
Representation reviews take a close look at the population within each ward and the subdivisions within them, compared to the number of elected representatives for that area.
These reviews may change the ward boundaries to reflect changes in population and achieve a fair ratio of elected members.
What representation reviews do?
Thames-Coromandel local board boundaries can only be reviewed through a representation review.
Representation reviews offer a chance for us to look at the current local boards and wards and make sure that they are represented fairly and effectively.
We conduct a review of ward boundaries and population every six years by ‘representation review’. The last representation review was undertaken in 2021, meaning there is no requirement for a review, however, review must be undertaken in 2024 if Māori wards are to be established (for 2025).
Learn more about Māori wards and constituencies
How we keep things fair?
The number of councillors is based on population equity, generally it means each elected member represents about the same number of people.
How is our electoral system determined?
All local authorities have the opportunity to review their electoral system two years before the next triennial election. There are two systems of voting available to Councils, STV (Single-Transferrable Vote) and FFP (First Past the Post). The Thames-Coromandel District Council has resolved to retain the FPP electoral system for its 2025 triennial general election.
Find the Thames-Coromandel District Councils notice of Council Resolution on Electoral System and Right to Demand a Poll(PDF, 155KB)
Learn more about STV and FPP electoral systems