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Local Government Act 2002

Savings

Schedule 3A: Establishment or reorganisation of local board areas in unitary authority districts

You could also call this:

“Rules for creating or changing local community groups in big city areas”

This schedule outlines the process for establishing or reorganising local board areas within unitary authority districts in New Zealand. Here’s a summary of the key points:

  1. Reorganisation initiatives or investigation requests can be proposed by the affected unitary authority, a group of at least 10% of electors, or the Minister.

  2. The Local Government Commission reviews these proposals and decides whether to undertake an investigation, considering factors like potential benefits, costs, and community support.

  3. If an investigation proceeds, the Commission must adopt a process document outlining the investigation’s scope, timeline, and how stakeholders will be consulted.

  4. The Commission can develop and adopt reorganisation plans, which may establish new local board areas, change boundaries, or alter representation arrangements.

  5. Unitary authorities can also develop their own reorganisation plans and submit them to the Commission for approval.

  6. Reorganisation plans must specify details like the names and boundaries of local board areas, the number of elected members, and how chairpersons will be elected.

  7. Once a plan is approved, it is implemented through an Order in Council, which sets the date for the changes to take effect.

  8. The schedule includes provisions for managing the transition, such as how bylaws will continue to apply in reorganised areas.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS906719.

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3AEstablishment or reorganisation of local board areas in unitary authority districts Empowered by s 24

1Reorganisation investigations

1Reorganisation initiatives and investigation requests

2Who may propose reorganisation initiatives and request investigations

  1. A reorganisation initiative may be proposed, or an investigation request may be made, to the Commission by—

  2. the affected unitary authority:
    1. in the case of an initiative, a group of at least 10% of electors in the affected local board area:
      1. in the case of a request, a group of at least 10% of electors in the affected area:
        1. the Minister.

          1. The reorganisation initiative or investigation request must be submitted to the chief executive officer of the Commission.

          Notes
          • Schedule 3A clause 2: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

          3Contents of reorganisation initiative or investigation request

          1. A reorganisation initiative or an investigation request must include the following:

          2. the name and address of the person submitting the initiative or request; and
            1. if the initiative or request is submitted by a group of electors under clause 2(1)(b) or (c),—
              1. evidence that the group comprises at least 10% of electors in the affected local board area or affected area; and
                1. the name and address of the person who is the representative of those persons; and
                2. in the case of an initiative, a description of the proposed changes, including (but not limited to)—
                  1. which of the matters listed in section 24(3)(a) is being sought; and
                    1. a plan or other description sufficient to identify the affected local board area or affected local board areas concerned; and
                      1. an explanation of the outcome that the proposed changes are seeking to achieve; and
                      2. in the case of an investigation request, a description of the matter, issue, problem, or opportunity to be investigated.

                        1. A reorganisation initiative may include—

                        2. any information requested or recommended in any guidelines issued by the Commission; and
                          1. any other information that demonstrates that the initiative has community support in the affected area; and
                            1. any other information that the person submitting the initiative considers relevant to the Commission’s consideration of the initiative.

                              Notes
                              • Schedule 3A clause 3: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                              4Action on receipt of reorganisation initiative or investigation request

                              1. As soon as practicable after receiving a reorganisation initiative or an investigation request, the Commission must,—

                              2. if the initiative or request was submitted by a group of electors, confirm that the group comprises at least 10% of electors in the affected local board area or affected area, as the case may be (and, if not, notify the person who submitted the initiative or request that the Commission will not undertake an investigation); and
                                1. decide whether to undertake an investigation, having regard to the factors listed in clause 5; and
                                  1. notify the person who submitted the initiative or request, or that person’s representative, of its decision; and
                                    1. if the Commission decides not to undertake an investigation, explain the reasons for that decision in the notice under paragraph (c); and
                                      1. if the Commission decides to undertake an investigation, notify the affected unitary authority of that decision.

                                        1. Before making a decision under subclause (1)(b), the Commission must consult the affected unitary authority and any local board that would be affected by the reorganisation initiative or the requested investigation.

                                        Notes
                                        • Schedule 3A clause 4: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                        2Reorganisation investigations

                                        5Factors Commission must have regard to when deciding whether to undertake reorganisation investigation

                                        1. When deciding whether to undertake a reorganisation investigation under clause 4(1)(b), the Commission must have regard to—

                                        2. the purpose of reorganisation set out in section 24AA; and
                                          1. the potential scale and scope of improvements to local governance and services that might result from the investigation; and
                                            1. the potential costs, disruption, and other negative effects on the affected unitary authority, its communities, and any affected local board that may be caused by the investigation; and
                                              1. any time or other constraints that apply to the opportunity to achieve potential improvements to local governance and services; and
                                                1. the need for urgent resolution of any problem identified by the Commission, or in the investigation request or reorganisation initiative; and
                                                  1. the resources available to the Commission to undertake the investigation in a timely manner; and
                                                    1. the likelihood of significant community opposition to any reorganisation that might result from the investigation.

                                                      Notes
                                                      • Schedule 3A clause 5: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                      6Commission must adopt reorganisation investigation process

                                                      1. As soon as practicable after it makes a decision under clause 4(1)(b) to undertake a reorganisation investigation, the Commission must determine and adopt a process for the investigation and record that process in writing.

                                                      2. The process document must set out how the Commission intends to undertake the investigation, including—

                                                      3. the matters to be investigated; and
                                                        1. the affected area, the affected unitary authority, and any local board affected by the investigation; and
                                                          1. the procedure and timetable for the investigation; and
                                                            1. each affected iwi or hapū, and how and when they will be given an opportunity to engage with the investigation; and
                                                              1. the key stakeholders, and how and when they will be given an opportunity to engage with the investigation; and
                                                                1. how and when members of the public will be consulted on the investigation and any proposed recommendations or reorganisation plans that may result; and
                                                                  1. any other matter that the Commission considers relevant.

                                                                    1. In determining the matters referred to in subclause (2), and in undertaking an investigation, the Commission must have regard to the following principles:

                                                                    2. early information should be available to the public and stakeholders about the issues to be investigated, the process to be followed, and the opportunities for public input; and
                                                                      1. the process should be in proportion to the scale, scope, and potential impact of the identified issues and of any reorganisation plan that may result from the investigation; and
                                                                        1. the process should recognise the relevant evidence and information that the Commission already holds; and
                                                                          1. the process should recognise and reflect the nature and extent of the interests of affected iwi or hapū in the outcome of the investigation; and
                                                                            1. the process should provide persons, entities, and organisations who wish to have their views on the subject matter of the investigation considered by the Commission with a reasonable opportunity to present those views to the Commission; and
                                                                              1. the extent and nature of public and stakeholder engagement should—
                                                                                1. reflect the degree of public interest (including of each affected iwi or hapū) in the issues and in any reorganisation plan that may result from the investigation; and
                                                                                  1. reflect the importance of—
                                                                                    1. stakeholder input; and
                                                                                      1. community engagement; and
                                                                                        1. public acceptance of the process and the potential outcome; and
                                                                                        2. appropriately balance the costs and benefits of different processes.

                                                                                        3. Before adopting a process document under subclause (1), the Commission must—

                                                                                        4. consult the affected unitary authority and any affected local board on the proposed process or amendment; and
                                                                                          1. consult all affected iwi or hapū about whether, and how, the proposed reorganisation investigation, or any reorganisation plan that may result from the investigation, may affect their relationship with their ancestral land, water, sites, wāhi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga, or affect their relationships with local authorities.

                                                                                            1. The Commission may adopt an amendment to a process document under subclause (1) at any time, and must do so if there is a significant departure from the process.

                                                                                            2. The Commission must, as soon as practicable after adopting or amending a process document,—

                                                                                            3. publish the process document in full on its Internet site; and
                                                                                              1. give public notice within the affected area of the publication and location of the process document; and
                                                                                                1. notify the affected unitary authority and all affected local boards, affected iwi or hapū, and key stakeholders identified by the Commission of the publication and location of the process document.

                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                  • Schedule 3A clause 6: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                  7Commission may require assistance and undertake inquiries when conducting investigations and preparing reorganisation plan

                                                                                                  1. In conducting an investigation or preparing a reorganisation plan, the Commission may require the affected unitary authority and any affected local boards to provide information to assist the Commission.

                                                                                                  2. In conducting an investigation or preparing a reorganisation plan, the Commission may undertake inquiries and consultation in relation to the investigation or plan with any persons, bodies, and groups that it considers appropriate.

                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                  • Schedule 3A clause 7: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                  8Commission may issue report

                                                                                                  1. The Commission may, at any time during a reorganisation investigation, or at the completion of the investigation, issue a report and make recommendations to a unitary authority on any matter arising in the course of, or ancillary to, the investigation.

                                                                                                  2. Section 26A applies to a report and recommendations under this clause.

                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                  • Schedule 3A clause 8: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                  9Objectives that Commission must consider in reorganisation investigation

                                                                                                  1. In assessing the desirability of options for the reorganisation of local government within the affected area, the Commission must take into account how best to achieve all of the following:

                                                                                                  2. enabling democratic decision making by, and on behalf of, communities within the local board area:
                                                                                                    1. better enabling the purpose of local government to be given effect to within the local board area:
                                                                                                      1. efficiencies and cost savings:
                                                                                                        1. assurance that a local board has the resources necessary to enable it to effectively perform or exercise its responsibilities, duties, and powers in respect of any local board area established or changed:
                                                                                                          1. effective responses to the opportunities, needs, and circumstances of the affected areas:
                                                                                                            1. better alignment of local board areas with communities of interest:
                                                                                                              1. enhanced effectiveness of decision making for non-regulatory activities of a unitary authority:
                                                                                                                1. enhanced ability of local government to meet the changing needs of communities for governance and services into the future:
                                                                                                                  1. effective provision for any co-governance and co-management arrangements that are established by legislation (including Treaty of Waitangi claim settlement legislation) and that are between local authorities and iwi or Māori organisations.

                                                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                                                    • Schedule 3A clause 9: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                    10Completion of investigation

                                                                                                                    1. As soon as practicable after completing an investigation, the Commission must—

                                                                                                                    2. give public notice of the completion of the investigation; and
                                                                                                                      1. notify the affected unitary authority and all affected local boards, affected iwi or hapū, and key stakeholders of the completion of the investigation; and
                                                                                                                        1. record the completion of the investigation on its Internet site.

                                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                                          • Schedule 3A clause 10: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                          2Reorganisation plans

                                                                                                                          1Adoption and notification of reorganisation plan

                                                                                                                          11Commission may adopt reorganisation plan

                                                                                                                          1. The Commission may, during or at the completion of a reorganisation investigation,—

                                                                                                                          2. develop 1 or more reorganisation plans; and
                                                                                                                            1. adopt 1 or more reorganisation plans that meet the requirements of subpart 2 of this Part.

                                                                                                                              1. In deciding whether to adopt a reorganisation plan, the Commission must have regard to—

                                                                                                                              2. the scale of the potential benefits of the proposed changes in terms of the objectives set out in clause 9 and the likelihood of those benefits being realised; and
                                                                                                                                1. the financial, disruption, and opportunity costs of implementing the proposed changes at the proposed time; and
                                                                                                                                  1. the risks and consequences of not implementing the proposed changes at the proposed time; and
                                                                                                                                    1. existing communities of interest and the extent to which the proposed changes will maintain linkages between communities (including iwi and hapū) and sites and resources of significance to them; and
                                                                                                                                      1. the degree and distribution of demonstrable public support for the proposed changes within communities in the affected area; and
                                                                                                                                        1. the degree and distribution of any public opposition to the proposed changes within communities in the affected area.

                                                                                                                                          1. The Commission must not adopt a reorganisation plan under this clause that affects the application of any Act that establishes co-governance or co-management arrangements between local authorities and iwi or Māori organisations (including Treaty of Waitangi claims settlement legislation), without first consulting all iwi or Māori organisations to whom that Act applies, the Attorney-General, and the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.

                                                                                                                                          2. A reorganisation plan to which subclause (3) applies must provide for the same level and scope of participation in decision making by iwi or Māori organisations as the arrangement specified in the Act referred to in that subclause.

                                                                                                                                          Notes
                                                                                                                                          • Schedule 3A clause 11: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                          12Notification of reorganisation plan

                                                                                                                                          1. As soon as practicable after adopting a reorganisation plan, the Commission must—

                                                                                                                                          2. give public notice of the plan and, in the notice, specify where copies of the plan may be inspected; and
                                                                                                                                            1. take any other action that it considers necessary to inform persons, bodies, and groups that the Commission identifies as having an interest in the plan.

                                                                                                                                              1. The Commission must attach to the reorganisation plan a full and detailed statement that—

                                                                                                                                              2. explains how the plan will achieve the objectives set out in clause 9; and
                                                                                                                                                1. provides a balanced assessment of the reorganisation plan and outlines the advantages and disadvantages of the plan.

                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 3A clause 12: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                  2Content of reorganisation plans

                                                                                                                                                  13Content of reorganisation plan

                                                                                                                                                  1. Before adopting a reorganisation plan under clause 11, the Commission must ensure that the plan complies with the requirements in this clause.

                                                                                                                                                  2. Provisions for local boards must be consistent with subpart 1A of Part 4 of this Act.

                                                                                                                                                  3. The reorganisation plan must specify—

                                                                                                                                                  4. the name of the district of the unitary authority; and
                                                                                                                                                    1. the number and names of local board areas within the district; and
                                                                                                                                                      1. the boundaries of—
                                                                                                                                                        1. each local board area; and
                                                                                                                                                          1. electoral subdivisions, if any, of each local board area; and
                                                                                                                                                          2. the number of elected members of the local board for each local board area and, if a local board area is subdivided for electoral purposes, the number of members to be elected by the electors of each subdivision; and
                                                                                                                                                            1. whether each local board may include members appointed by the governing body of the unitary authority in accordance with section 48E(b); and
                                                                                                                                                              1. for each local board, whether the chairperson of the local board is to be—
                                                                                                                                                                1. elected by the members of the local board from among themselves using one of the systems of voting set out in clause 25(3) and (4) of Schedule 7; or
                                                                                                                                                                  1. directly elected to that office by the electors of the local board area.

                                                                                                                                                                  2. Subclause (3)(e) and (f) is subject to any requirements in other enactments that relate to 1 or more of the following matters:

                                                                                                                                                                  3. the election or appointment of members of a local board:
                                                                                                                                                                    1. the election of the chairperson of a local board.

                                                                                                                                                                      1. In determining the matters referred to in subclause (3)(b) to (e), the Commission must ensure that—

                                                                                                                                                                      2. the boundaries of the local board areas will—
                                                                                                                                                                        1. enable democratic local decision making by, and on behalf of, communities throughout the district; and
                                                                                                                                                                          1. enable equitable provision to be made for the current and future well-being of all communities within the affected area; and
                                                                                                                                                                          2. the boundaries of local board areas and any subdivisions of those areas coincide with boundaries of the current statistical meshblock areas determined by Statistics New Zealand and used for parliamentary electoral purposes; and
                                                                                                                                                                            1. so far as practicable, local board area boundaries coincide with ward boundaries.

                                                                                                                                                                              Notes
                                                                                                                                                                              • Schedule 3A clause 13: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                              14Representation

                                                                                                                                                                              1. In determining the representation arrangements of an affected unitary authority for a reorganisation plan, the Commission must—

                                                                                                                                                                              2. have regard to the existing electoral and representation arrangements of the affected unitary authority in respect of local boards; and
                                                                                                                                                                                1. provide fair and effective representation for individuals and communities in the local board areas within the district of the unitary authority; and
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. comply with the requirements of the Local Electoral Act 2001; and
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. take into account the responsibilities, duties, and powers of the unitary authority.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                      • Schedule 3A clause 14: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                                      3Unitary authority-led reorganisation applications

                                                                                                                                                                                      15Unitary authority may develop and adopt reorganisation plan

                                                                                                                                                                                      1. A unitary authority may develop and adopt a reorganisation plan in accordance with this clause.

                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Subparts 1 and 2 of this Part apply to every reorganisation plan developed under subclause (1) as if references to the Commission in those subparts were references to the unitary authority developing the plan.

                                                                                                                                                                                      3. A unitary authority intending to develop a reorganisation plan under this clause must ensure that written notice of that intention is given to the Commission as soon as is reasonably practicable.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                      • Schedule 3A clause 15: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                                      16Application to Commission

                                                                                                                                                                                      1. A unitary authority may submit a reorganisation plan adopted under clause 15 to the Commission in accordance with this clause (a unitary authority-led reorganisation application).

                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Before submitting a unitary authority-led reorganisation application, the unitary authority must consider any views and preferences expressed by any local boards that would be affected by the reorganisation plan.

                                                                                                                                                                                      3. The reorganisation plan must be accompanied by—

                                                                                                                                                                                      4. a statement that complies with clause 12(2); and
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. a report from the affected unitary authority, adopted by that unitary authority, that records—
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. unconditional support for the plan from the governing body of the unitary authority; and
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. any views and preferences expressed by any local boards that would be affected by the reorganisation plan; and
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. the public consultation undertaken by the unitary authority; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. the themes and outcomes of that consultation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                • Schedule 3A clause 16: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                                                17Commission review of unitary authority-led reorganisation application

                                                                                                                                                                                                1. As soon as practicable after receiving a unitary authority-led reorganisation application submitted in accordance with clause 16, the Commission must review that application.

                                                                                                                                                                                                2. The Commission must approve the reorganisation plan to which the application relates unless—

                                                                                                                                                                                                3. the reorganisation plan is not accompanied by the documentation required by clause 16; or
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. the Commission considers, on reasonable grounds, that—
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. the provisions in subparts 1 and 2 of this Part were not complied with in developing the plan, as required by clause 15(2); or
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. the unitary authority has not complied with clause 16(2); or
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. the plan does not have the support of affected communities.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. The Commission must not approve the reorganisation plan if subclause (2)(a) or (b) applies.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. If the Commission approves a reorganisation plan under this clause, Part 3 of this schedule applies as if the plan were adopted under clause 11.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. As soon as practicable after the Commission approves a reorganisation plan under this clause,—

                                                                                                                                                                                                        5. the Commission must notify the affected unitary authority of its decision; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. the Minister must determine whether to recommend the making of an Order in Council under section 25.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. If the Commission does not approve a reorganisation plan under this clause, the Commission—

                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. must notify the affected unitary authority of its decision and the reasons for it; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. may undertake an investigation into any matter related to the content of the unitary authority-led reorganisation application.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Schedule 3A clause 17: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                3Implementation and effect of reorganisations

                                                                                                                                                                                                                18Former local board areas

                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. This clause applies in relation to implementing a reorganisation plan that—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. is given effect to by an Order in Council under section 25(1); and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. specifies alterations to the boundaries of local board areas that result in a local board area including an area (a former local board area) that formerly comprised or formed part of a separate local board area.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Subclause (3) applies unless a reorganisation order modifies its application to a reorganisation or declares that it does not apply to a reorganisation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. The local board that assumes jurisdiction over a former local board area has, may exercise or perform, and is responsible for all the powers, duties, acts of authority, and responsibilities that were previously exercised or performed by the local board of that area in relation to that area, or that would have been exercised or performed by it if it had remained in existence or responsible for that area.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Schedule 3A clause 18: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    19Local board area bylaws

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. The provisions of this clause apply unless a reorganisation order modifies their application to a reorganisation or declares that they do not apply to a reorganisation.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Subclause (3) applies to local board area bylaws that—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3. are in force in all or part of a local board area that, under a reorganisation order, is included in the jurisdiction of a local board other than the local board that proposed them; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. are in force immediately before the implementation date; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. are not excluded from the application of this clause by the reorganisation order.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Each local board area bylaw remains in force, in the area to which it applied immediately before the commencement of the reorganisation order, until it expires or is revoked or amended by the unitary authority for the district that includes that area.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. In this clause,—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            bylaw includes—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. a set of bylaws; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. an individual bylaw in a set of bylaws; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. a provision within an individual bylaw

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  local board area bylaw means a bylaw that applies only in, or only in any part of, a local board area.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Schedule 3A clause 19: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1Interpretation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. In this schedule, unless the context otherwise requires,—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    affected area,—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. in relation to a reorganisation investigation, means an area that—
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. is within the district of a unitary authority; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. is affected, or potentially affected, by 1 or more of the matters to be investigated; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. in relation to a reorganisation initiative or plan, means the area comprising the district of the unitary authority to which the initiative or plan relates

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          affected elector means—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. a person who is a residential elector (within the meaning of section 23 of the Local Electoral Act 2001), if the address in respect of which the person is registered is in an affected area:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. a person who is a ratepayer elector (within the meaning of section 24 of the Local Electoral Act 2001), if the person is qualified as a ratepayer elector in respect of a rating unit in an affected area

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              affected iwi or hapū means an iwi or a hapū with interests within the affected area, and includes any entity or organisation identified by Te Puni Kōkiri as representing those interests

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                affected local board area means the area of the local board or proposed local board

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  affected unitary authority means a unitary authority whose district contains an affected area

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    implementation date means the date specified in an Order in Council made under section 25A(1) as the date on which the local government reorganisation described in the order takes effect

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      investigation request means a request to the Commission by a group comprising at least 10% of electors in an affected area, by a unitary authority, or by the Minister, in accordance with clause 2, to conduct a reorganisation investigation into an issue or a matter but without proposing a particular reorganisation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        public notice, in relation to a notice of a reorganisation investigation or reorganisation plan given by the Commission,—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. means a notice published—
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. in 1 or more newspapers circulating in the affected area; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. on the Internet site of the Commission; and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. includes any other notice that the Commission thinks desirable in the circumstances

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              reorganisation initiative or initiative means a request to the Commission by a group comprising at least 10% of electors in an affected area, by a unitary authority, or by the Minister, to consider a proposed reorganisation that relates solely to 1 or more of the matters in section 24(3)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                reorganisation investigation or investigation means an investigation by the Commission under Part 1 of this schedule, in response to a reorganisation initiative or an investigation request, that may result in the development and adoption of a reorganisation plan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  reorganisation order means an Order in Council made under section 25

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    reorganisation plan means a plan that relates solely to 1 or more of the matters in section 24(3) and that is—

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. adopted by the Commission, during or after an investigation; or
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. adopted by a unitary authority in accordance with clause 15.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Notes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Schedule 3A clause 1: inserted, on , by section 48 of the Local Government Electoral Legislation Act 2023 (2023 No 57).