Bay of Plenty Regional Council may have one extra councillor elected at next year’s local body elections, due to population growth in the Tauranga constituency area.

At a Council meeting this week, councillors recommended that changes be made to the region’s representation, following a statutory review of the arrangements. The key change being recommended is that membership for the Tauranga general constituency increase from four to five members, taking the total number of councillors from 13 to 14.

In addition to the extra councillor for the Tauranga constituency, the Council also decided to shift the boundaries of the Kōhi and Mauāo electorates. The move sees the Matatā area included in the Kōhi electorate, and removed from the Mauāo electorate.

The decision is now subject to a one month appeal period, during which any person or organisation that submitted on the review may appeal the decision to the Local Government Commission.