Some Environment Southland (ES) constituency boundaries are to change, following a hearing in February by the Local Government Commission.

ES chairman Nicol Horrell said the changes followed a review that started in July last year and culminated in two council appeals to the commission seeking changes.

Coloured areas represent areas moving from one constituency to another. The dark line represents the original boundary. Graphic: Environment Southland.

The new boundary for the Southern constituency will align with Southland District Council’s Waihōpai Toetoe Ward boundary, Horrell said.

In practical terms, this means 540 voters living in the rural Makarewa area will be able to vote at this year’s local government elections for candidates in the Hokonui constituency.

These changes would have impacts for some residents in the Western, Hokonui and Eastern-Dome constituencies, he said.