
The changes released last week propose a major redrawing of the southern electoral map which would divide Clutha between three electorates — Dunedin South, Invercargill and Clutha-Southland.
In Central Otago, the adjustments would mean Clutha-Southland gaining Alexandra, Clyde and Roxburgh from Waitaki.
Cromwell would remain in the Waitaki electorate.
Mr Cadogan said the split took no notice of continuity across the district.
‘‘It has been helpful as mayor to only have one MP to deal with; it strikes me that having to deal with two will only double the work.
‘‘The nature of the split, with Alexandra and Clyde being in the same electorate as Queenstown and Cromwell being in a different one, is simply bizarre.’’
He would not confirm if the Central Otago District Council would lodge a submission opposing the changes.
‘‘As I have not had an opportunity to speak to councillors on this, I am not able to comment.’’
A Representation Commission report into the New Zealand electorate boundary review said the Waitaki electorate was more than 11% over its quota and needed to ‘‘lose population’’.
Clutha-Southland would secure an area extending from Raes Junction through Millers Flat, Roxburgh, and Alexandra to Clyde, which has a population of 10,300.
Waitaki would gain a population of 2500 from Dunedin North including Palmerston, Hampden and Herbert, the report said.
This week it was confirmed Cromwell’s population had exceeded that of Alexandra’s for the first time.
Electorate boundaries will be finalised in April following a public consultation and objections period.