6 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>September</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
• By Daniel Alvey THE DISTRICT council has decided to retain its current voting system for the local body elections. District councillors were presented with two options last week – retain first past the post Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz NEWS 7 First past the post system set to stay for local body elections WE’RE STILL HERE Gliddon believed the it was or adopt the single transferable not the right time to change the voting system. FOR Due to statutory YOU CANTERBURY. voting system. requirements, the decision had “I feel like the only reason to be made before yesterday. we are looking at changing is The recommendation to adopt to follow the Future for Local STV was lost by four votes to VOTE: Mayor Sam Broughton and district councillor Sophie Government Review . . . I just six, with deputy mayor Malcolm McInnes (left) voted to change the system to STV, while Lyall absent. councillors Grant Miller and Lydia Gliddon (right) opted to The district council will now keep first past the post. 100% LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED notify the public about the decision by Tuesday. Residents can then give feedback. If 5 per cent of the district’s 79,280 voters petition the council to adopt STV instead, a referendum could be held. Currently 15 councils across New Zealand use STV. But Christchurch City Council and Waimakariri District Council both recently voted to keep FPP. Mayor Sam Broughton and district councillors Shane Epiha, Sophie McInnes, and Phil Dean voted yes to STV. Broughton said he supported the change as it would provide a more balanced election. “Sometimes the question becomes about whether should we change or not, rather than what is the outcome of the decision. “When there are multiple people being elected in the ward, there’s even more reason to move this system. I get that change is difficult and hard but I think that having an outcome that is more representative is more important for democracy and support a ranked voting system,” “When you know it’s first past the post and you’re against incumbents, you’re less likely to put your name forward, especially if you’re female or from a minority, because it’s harder to beat an incumbent on that count,” she said. District councillors Lydia Gliddon, Nicole Reid, Grant Miller, Bob Mugford, and Debra Hasson voted against adopting STV. A STV election would cost about 25 per cent more than FPP. HELLO FROM HOT HORNBY Wednesday <strong>September</strong> <strong>13</strong> <strong>2023</strong> <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> HAVE YOUR SAY: What voting system do you think should be used? Send your views in 200 words or less to daniel.alvey@starmedia.kiwi think now isn’t the right time to change,” she said. Miller said the question should have been put out for feedback. “We haven’t even asked our electorate ourselves, the danger of the council making decisions unilaterally, without at least some sort of information gathering from our community, is poor.” HOW THE VOTING SYSTEM WORKS We are still OPEN! Let us help you navigate this Covid world. •What is first past the post? their order of preference. votes may be transferred The candidate with the Under STV, you would write according to alternate most votes wins. This is a “1” next to the name of your preferences if your preferred simple method of electing favourite candidate, “2” next candidate is eliminated or candidates and is widely to your second favourite elected with surplus votes. Broughton said. used throughout the world. candidate and so on. This means your vote is overseas to loved ones or them McInnes said SVT would •What is here single to see you Candidates and must organising reach a MIQ. used to elect someone increase the number of people transferable voting? set number (quota) of votes you prefer over others in standing for election. Voters rank candidates in in order to be elected. Your the running. We can do ANYTHING travel related, from NZ Domestic, to getting you Support local - we are proudly Canterbury owned and operated. Get in contact with us today! HOUSE OF TRAVEL HORNBY Bringing our Expert Travel Advice and Services to the Hornby and <strong>Selwyn</strong> District The team at House of Travel Hornby are delighted to announce they are growing and really striving to meet the needs of their customers. After surviving 2 years with no international travel business, Paula and the team at Hornby want you to know that they are here for you. Throughout the pandemic they have helped clients get home before borders closed and then navigated the red tape with covid testing & MIQ to reunite people around the world. They can assist with all your travel requirements from travel insurance & flights to cruises, touring, trains and sightseeing. The post-covid world has been an interesting one. But with most of the restrictions being lifted and prices slowly starting to drop, now is the time to get the bucket list ready. House of Travel Hornby is now in a position to grow and bring our valued services to our customers both in Hornby and out into the <strong>Selwyn</strong> District. We do encourage you to call ahead and make an appointment – but walk-ins are welcome. The more up-take we get, then we’ll look to extend our days and hours. HORNBY OPEN SATURDAYS 9AM - 3PM We know how popular this will be given the limited number of agents available over the weekend. Visit us at 40 Carmen Rd, you can park at the door. ROLLESTON EVERY WEDNESDAY 9AM – 3PM Find Rebecca at Helado - Gelato & Coffee Garden, 5/49 Tennyson St, Rolleston DARFIELD THURSDAYS Lauren is operating out of the Darfield Business Hub from 9am - 3pm. We encourage you to make an appointment on 344-3070 but walk-ins welcome! As well as this, the office in Hornby is open 9am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Parking is at the door. Email or phone enquiry is welcome and we can also do video appointments. BETTER TOGETHER 40 CARMEN ROAD, HORNBY, CHRISTCHURCH 03 344 3070 I HORNBY@HOT.CO.NZ