GENERAL

Communication and Publicity

The Commission published in the Gazette on 3 May 2007, a notice of the proposed districts as required by Section 38 of the Act for public examination and comment. This is a time consuming process involving the publication of some 90 pages of description, maps and summary of reasons covering all Electoral Districts. For the first time, the Commission introduced online interactive maps as an additional description tool. It proved to be a welcome innovation. Publication is a valuable requirement in that it informs the public of New Zealand of the reasons for the Commission‛s proposals, and enables public understanding of and participation in a politically independent process.

The Notice of Proposed Boundaries of the Electoral Districts was widely distributed by the Commission through city and district council offices, Registrars of Electors, Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Development offices,

Māori Land Court

, Land Information New Zealand offices and public libraries. Data was also available on the Internet in text and map form. Objection and counter objection forms were electronically available for completion and emailing to the Commission. In addition the Commission produced a media information book, conducted a media briefing session and participated in television and radio news discussions. Media press releases and press advertising regarding the process and timetable for objections and counter-objections received good coverage and response.

The Commission continued its practice of producing detailed maps of the proposed electoral districts in a separate booklet rather than sets of wall maps. This booklet was well received.

Confidentiality and Independence

All Commissioners accepted that they were under the same obligations to apply the principles set out in the Act. The Commission did not base its decisions on their possible political consequences and to have done so would have meant the complete destruction of the Commission‛s independence.

The Commission accepted the necessity for independence to be maintained as stated above and that it was essential therefore, before the publication of proposed boundaries, for its deliberations to take place in private. This course ensures that the Commission‛s decisions remain free from the influence of outside pressures. It was accepted, however, that the Commissioners representing the Government and the Opposition had a particular need to consult and take advice as to the application of the statutory criteria. In that event the Commission must rely on the integrity and discretion of that member. It was agreed:

· that those being consulted could be shown hard copies of the provisional boundaries prepared by the Surveyor-General.

· that the responsibility for showing the provisional boundaries is with the Commissioner.

· that at all times the Commissioner retains the maps or any copies made.

· that the Commissioner can consult with whom he or she elects and answer questions relevant to the preparation of objections and counter-objections.

· that if requested, the Commissioner would supply to the Commission the names of those persons consulted.

The Commission is happy to report that a workable balance was achieved between confidentiality and the need to consult, with the result that it did not have problems of leakage of information of the kind that beset previous Commissions.

Computer Technology

The Commission had the use of advanced computer technology. Each Commissioner had the use of a laptop computer containing sophisticated mapping software, and population and statistical data. Commission members were able to develop various options and thus to respond interactively. The technology permitted a virtually immediate response, avoided manual recalculation of population figures and provided flexibility in considering alternative solutions. The use of this technology reduced the time that otherwise would have been taken by the Commission to formulate proposed boundaries and then to reach final decisions.

Macrons for electorates with Māori names.

Electorate names which include macrons, have applied the orthographic conventions of the Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission). The Commission notes that the general electorate names are derived from official or recorded geographic place names. Those place names pre-date the orthographic conventions and therefore do not have macrons. The Commission has used macrons where it considers it to be appropriate on advice from Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori. It notes that the names with macrons have not been approved as official geographic names for the corresponding places by the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa. The Commission has applied macrons to assist with correct pronunciation of the electorate names.

Appreciation

The Commission records its thanks to the Surveyor-General, the Chief Electoral Officer, and to the Government Statistician for the manner in which they and their departments have serviced the Commission. They provided excellent professional service both personally and through their staff. Particular mention must be made of Mr Andrew Clouston, who was the technical advisor to the Commission in respect of computerisation, drawing of maps and plans, and calculation of electoral population shifts for the purpose of developing options in the creation of individual Electoral Districts. His expertise, enthusiasm and help were of the highest standard.

 

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