Selwyn Council Splits on Voting Rights for Unelected Representatives

Selwyn District Council is divided over whether to seek a government exemption that would allow unelected members to retain voting rights on specific committees. The dispute centers on a new policy directive from central Government that aims to remove non-elected representatives from voting roles within local bodies. While the change is scheduled to take effect in March, councils must submit any exemption requests by November 18.

At a recent council meeting, four members supported the proposal to prepare an application. Mayor Lydia Gliddon and Chief Executive Steve Gibling backed the move, arguing that the government explicitly offered this pathway for councils that wished to keep certain voting rights. Gliddon noted that while acceptance is not guaranteed, the administration’s willingness to consider exemptions suggests they intended for some councils to preserve these roles. The application is set for a final vote at the council’s November 11 meeting.

Councillor Elizabeth Mundt cast the sole dissenting vote. Mundt, who is standing as a New Zealand First candidate in Saturday’s general election, argued that applying for the exemption contradicts the central government’s clear instruction to remove non-elected members from committees. She stated that she agreed with the directive and did not feel the need to seek special permission. Mundt maintained that her decision was a personal choice and was not influenced by her party candidacy, emphasizing that financial decision-making should remain with those elected to represent the community.

The legislative change would directly affect three current participants in Selwyn Council operations. Independent chair Bruce Gemmell and member Carol Bellette would lose their voting rights on the audit and risk subcommittee. Additionally, Puamiria Parata-Goodall, the Te Taumutu Rūnanga mana whenua representative, would lose voting rights on council committees, though she would retain her current status of having no voting rights at full council meetings. Mundt argued that these representatives could still provide essential guidance to elected members without holding a formal vote.

The disagreement over the exemption application has prompted a legal review. Councillor Samuel Wilshire requested that the council’s legal team verify the exact wording of the legislation. Wilshire expressed concern that the council might be asking for permission regarding a right they already possess, which he described as raising a head to be smacked. The legal check aims to determine if the exemption is strictly necessary before the council proceeds with the formal application process.

The timeline for the change is fixed. The new rules regarding voting rights for unelected members will become active in March. Until the November 11 vote, the council operates under the current framework where these individuals hold voting positions on specific subcommittees. The outcome of the exemption application will dictate whether Selwyn follows the central government’s standard policy or retains a hybrid structure for its representative bodies.