Voting system decision made at special meeting

The vote confirmed that the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system – which has been used since 2004 - will stay in place.

Every six years council can consider which system it will use for the following two elections, with the choice being between STV or First Fast the Post (FFP). It is not mandatory for council to debate making a change. Regardless, the public must be notified by September 19 of which system DCC intends to use in the next two elections.

If the community is unhappy with council’s chosen voting system, the Local Electoral Act 2001 allows it to call for a public poll. To trigger that poll the community’s petition must be made in writing to council and signed by at least 5% of the eligible Dunedin electors.

If the public chooses to organise that petition, it must be completed and provided to council by 11 December 2026 and if the 5% of eligible electors is verified, a public poll will be run by council.

Councillors who voted to retain the system were Mayor Barker, Cr Chambers, Cr Garey, Cr Hall, Cr Lucas, Cr Mayhem, Cr Ong, Cr Treadwell, and Cr Walker.

Councillors Galer, Lund, Simms and Vandervis voted against the motion.

Councillors Laufiso, and Weatherall did not attend the meeting.

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