The Representation Commission is holding a public hearing in Tauranga next week after receiving 164 counter-objections to 409 objections it received on proposed electorate names and boundaries changes.

More than 580 people nationwide have contributed to the counter-objections through individual submissions and petitions, says Representation Commission chair Bernard Kendall.

The proposed new electorate boundaries in the Bay of Plenty area.

'The Commission will now hold public hearings for people to present their submissions in person," says Bernard.

'Their opinions and local knowledge are an important part of the boundary review process and will greatly assist the Commission [to] determine the final boundaries.”

Public hearings will be held in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Christchurch and Wellington from Monday (February 10). The Tauranga hearing is on next Thursday, February 13, at Tauranga District Court, McLean St, from 2pm to 5.15pm.

Electorates to generate the most counter-objections include Maungakiekie (32 counter-objections), Tamaki (24 counter-objections including one petition with more than 100 signatures), Mt Albert (13 counter-objections), Port Hills (13 counter-objections, including one petition with more than 190 signatures) and Christchurch East (10 counter-objections, including one petition with more than 120 signatures).

The 164 counter-objections received compares with 114 counter-objections when the boundaries were last redrawn in 2007.

A summary of the counter-objections can be viewed online at www.elections.org.nz.

Bernard says while submissions will only be heard from those scheduled to appear, the public are welcome to attend the hearings.