Submission to the Hastings Representation Review 2021

Rural people value local democracy and Federated Farmers submitted that elected representation on the Hastings District Council is vital, and supported the retention of the ward-basis for elections.  We are not opposed to the increase in councillors from 14 to 15, because any reduction could risk losing the two rural councillors for the Kahuranaki and Mohaka wards.  We supported the retention of the Rural Community Board, but raised a concern about the potential of the additional third appointed councillor member (from the Takitimu ward) of the board may be an urban person, rather than rural.