In Otago, two councils - Clutha and Queenstown Lakes - are grappling with the thorny issue of the future structure of their councils and community boards, proposing some major changes.
The Waitaki District Council, also, is required to carry out a representation review every six years, looking into such issues as the number of councillors and community board members, how they are elected and if they are needed.
At its meeting this week, the council set up a "representation review working party" to review the council and community boards in this way.
But early indications were there may not be recommendations for major changes, particularly with a government review of local government looming.
Cr Helen Stead suggested the council should stick with the status quo.
There was some discussion over the structure of the working party, with Cr Peter Garvan suggesting there should be more representation from the Oamaru ward because it had more councillors.
In the end, the council appointed Crs Craig Dawson (Ahuriri ward), Kathy Dennison (Waihemo), Kevin Malcolm (Corriedale) and Garvan (Oamaru), along with a representative each from the Ahuriri and Waihemo community boards.
Also included are electoral officer Debbi Miall and strategy group manager Richard Mabon.
It was also emphasised to the working party it had the power to co-opt other members, including if it felt there should be an additional councillor from the Oamaru ward.
When councillors discussed who should be on the working party, chief executive Michael Ross said the issue depended on whether there would be any radical changes proposed or if the review would be straightforward.
He also questioned whether there should be any major changes, with the Government embarking on a significant review of local government in New Zealand.
Major changes would require a lot of work and time by councillors and staff, he said.
All councils are required every six years to carry out a representation review. The last was in 2006.
The reviews look at the existing representation and come up with a decision to retain it or propose changes.
That is then publicly notified so people can make submissions on any proposal; in Waitaki's case timetabled from July 6 to August 10.
Submissions, if there are any, are then considered and a final proposal adopted.
That proposal can be appealed to the Local Government Commission.
At present, the Waitaki council has a mayor and 10 councillors. Six councillors are elected by the Oamaru ward, two by Corriedale and one each by the Waihemo and Ahuriri wards.
There are two community boards, Ahuriri and Waihemo, with five members each elected by voters in the Ahuriri and Waihemo wards.
Issues the working party will look at include how council members should be elected (including using the present ward system or another system), the total number of councillors, number of councillors elected by a ward, names and boundaries of wards, the present community boards (if they should continue, be changed or others added), community board member numbers and names and boundaries of community boards.
