More representatives in 2013 election

Bay of Plenty Regional Council may have one extra councillor elected at next year's local body elections.

The move to have an extra councillor is due to population growth in the Tauranga constituency area.

At a council meeting this week, councillors recommended that changes be made to the region's representation.

The key change being recommended is that membership for the Tauranga general constituency increases from four to five members, taking the total number of councillors from 13 to 14.

At the meeting, the council also decided to shift the boundaries of the Kohi and Mauao electorates.

The move sees the Matata area included in the Kohi electorate and removed from the Mauao electorate.

The decision is now subject to a one month appeal period.