Exclusive: Flat Bush expected to be proposed new North Island electorate

Newshub understands Flat Bush will be the proposed new electorate for next year's election.

A document seen by Newshub shows the proposed new Auckland electorate will be made up of people from Hunua, Manurewa and Papakura. It could include Wattle Downs and Takanini.

Rodney could also be likely to be redrawn to include Dairy Flat and Coatesville and could be renamed as Whangaparaoa.

Other proposals could include renaming Hunua as Port Waikato while Port Hills in the South Island could be called Banks Peninsula.

This would increase the number of North Island electorates to 49, the number of South Island electorates remains fixed at 16 while the Maori electorates stay at 7.

Three adjustments are expected to be proposed that would affect five Maori electorates. 

That could include Tamaki Makaurau gaining an area around Te Atatu South from Te Tai Tokerau and an area in East Manurewa from Hauraki-Waikato.

The Representation Commission is expected to be announcing its report on proposed electorate boundaries on Wednesday. 

Stats NZ announced in September the number of electorates would increase from 71 to 72 at the next general election, with a new electorate to be created in the North Island. 

It means that in a 120-seat Parliament - excluding any overhang seats - a total of 72 electorates will result in 48 list seats being allocated, one less than in the 2017 election.

Newshub.