WCRC public notice electoral system

Public notice of electoral system and right to demand a poll

Notice is given under section 28 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 that electors of the West Coast Region have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used for elections of the West Coast Regional Council.

Council’s decision

At its meeting on 4th August 2026, the West Coast Regional Council resolved to continue using the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system. Unless a poll determines otherwise, FPP will be used for the Council’s 2028 and 2031 triennial general elections and any associated election, unless legislation changes this requirement.

The electoral systems

Under FPP, electors vote by placing a tick beside their preferred candidate or candidates, and the candidates with the most votes are elected. Under STV, electors rank candidates in order of preference, and votes are transferred according to those preferences until all vacancies are filled.

First Past the Post (FPP)

How it works: Voters put a tick next to the candidate or candidates they want to elect. They can choose up to the total number of vacancies available for that specific ward or constituency.

Outcome: The candidates with the highest number of individual votes win the contested seats, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority.

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

How it works: Voters rank candidates using numbers in order of preference. They can rank as many or as few candidates as they choose. Candidates who reach a threshold are elected. Surplus votes and votes from eliminated candidates are transferred according to each voter’s next preferences until all positions are filled.

Outcome: It is a proportional voting system. Candidates must reach a specific or threshold of votes to be elected.

Right to demand a poll

A valid demand for a poll must:

• be made by notice in writing;
• be signed by at least 5% of the electors (24,037) enrolled as eligible to vote at the previous West Coast Regional Council triennial general election.
• include each signatory’s full name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector and
• be delivered to the West Coast Regional Council, 388 Main South Road, Paroa, Greymouth, no later than 5.00 pm on Friday, 11 December 2026, for the poll result to apply to the 2028 and 2031 triennial general elections.

If a valid demand is received by the 11 December 2026, a binding poll will be held to choose between FPP and STV. The system selected by the poll will apply to the 2028 and 2031 triennial general elections, unless legislation changes this requirement. A valid demand received after that deadline will apply to the 2031 and 2034 triennial general elections.

Dated at Greymouth this day 11th of August 2026.

Darryl Lew
Chief Executive
West Coast Regional Council