Horizons Regional Council

Palmerston North General Constituency
The Horizons Regional Council is the regional council for the Manawatū-Whanganui region. It makes decisions about managing resources in the region, such as air, water, soil and the coastline. It also carries out plant and pest control, helps prepare for natural disasters, and is involved in regional transport. The council is made up of 14 councillors. Councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region). Four councillors will be elected from the Palmerston North constituency. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Horizons Regional Council election.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Improve Māori participation in decision making.

    Ensure community voices are represented when making key decisions.

  • Commit to Māori representation and authentic engagement. We need equity to ensure iwi is heard and listened to and understood.

    Commit to being a good employer through meeting national trends and ensuring a healthy work culture.

    Commit to hearing all voices across all communities within our catchment and find solutions to work collaboratively with all.

  • Work with iwi/Māori to determine how best co-governance approaches can be incorporate into council business.

    Change the voting system for the next local body election to Single Transferable Vote (STV).

    Engage with the public about what climate change is going to mean for our communities and how to find an alternative to business as usual.

  • Undertake representation reviews as required under the Local Electoral Act 2001 to ensure fair and effective representation.

    Encourage and uphold transparency, integrity, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness in local decision making.

    Provide clarity about how and when communities are able to engage in local decisions about different issues, assets, or other matters.

  • Start a survey from different communities.

    Start an ethnic community representation and engagement in discussion of plans and policies.

    Start addressing the gap between policies and practices.

  • Improve Māori participation in decision making.

    Ensure community voices are represented when making key decisions.

  • Commit to Māori representation and authentic engagement. We need equity to ensure iwi is heard and listened to and understood.

    Commit to being a good employer through meeting national trends and ensuring a healthy work culture.

    Commit to hearing all voices across all communities within our catchment and find solutions to work collaboratively with all.

  • Work with iwi/Māori to determine how best co-governance approaches can be incorporate into council business.

    Change the voting system for the next local body election to Single Transferable Vote (STV).

    Engage with the public about what climate change is going to mean for our communities and how to find an alternative to business as usual.

  • Undertake representation reviews as required under the Local Electoral Act 2001 to ensure fair and effective representation.

    Encourage and uphold transparency, integrity, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness in local decision making.

    Provide clarity about how and when communities are able to engage in local decisions about different issues, assets, or other matters.

  • Start a survey from different communities.

    Start an ethnic community representation and engagement in discussion of plans and policies.

    Start addressing the gap between policies and practices.