Winton residents wary of electorate boundary changes
Winton residents continue to be wary of potentially becoming part of the Invercargill electorate, as a second period of public submissions continues on proposed Representation Commission changes.
The commission’s review report says Invercargill is 6.3 per cent below its population quota and must gain population from CluthaSouthland.
‘‘This is achieved by adding the Winton area, which is relatively close to Invercargill, and the rest of the Catlins up to the proposed Dunedin South boundary,’’ the report says.
Adding the Winton area and the Catlins would mean an additional 4500 voters in the Invercargill electorate for the next two national elections.
The commission received 332 objections nationwide on proposed changes last year, and a period of counter objections is open until January 24.
During the initial consultation period, 17 objections were lodged against the inclusion of Winton in the Invercargill electorate.
Sixteen objections were lodged on changes to the Clutha-Southland boundaries; the commission said in a statement ‘‘a number of objectors suggest creating a central Otago or Southern Lakes electorate with a focus on tourist areas’’.
Jim Gray has been politically involved and conscious all his life, and moved from Invercargill to Winton 56 years ago. He was concerned that if Winton became part of the Invercargill electorate, it would mean a loss of history and political tradition for the town.
The former Wallace electorate, Gray pointed out, produced successful politicians including former prime minister Sir Bill English and former deputy prime minister Sir Brian Talboys.
‘‘City people are different to country people – our rural identity is what makes us,’’ Gray said.
‘‘We’re proud of the fact we’re Central Southland.’’
Kerrian Simpson, of Winton, said people would always be concerned by change, but said things in Winton were running well. ‘‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’’
Business owner Gillian McFarlane was accepting of the proposed changes. McFarlane said she felt ‘‘more aligned with Invercargill than Balclutha, geographically and business-wise’’.
‘‘Changes to the boundaries would not affect Winton’s image as a rural hub,’’ she said.
Stew Bryan, of Winton, said he did not see what benefit the change would have for the town, and thought the proposed changes had not been advertised enough.
‘‘We’re a small town, not a city. We’re 30 kilometres from Invercargill. We’ve got completely different needs,’’ Bryan said.
Winton woman Jan Hamilton said she would give up voting if Winton became part of Invercargill.
Hamilton said Winton needed rural-based representation, because the town relied heavily on the agriculture sector.
The Labour Party supported keeping Winton in the CluthaSouthland electorate.
As part of the political party’s submission to the commission, Labour said it wanted Mataura to become part of the Invercargill electorate.
Invercargill-based Labour list MP Dr Liz Craig said Mataura would be a good fit for the Invercargill electorate, because of the town’s connections to neighbouring areas.