The Representation Commission used figures from the controversial 2018 census to created a proposed list of changes to the electorate boundaries for the 2020 and 2023 elections (file photo).

Only 450 people have submitted feedback to electorate boundary changes proposed by the Representation Commission, despite about 251,300 people being affected.

The Representation Commission, using figures from the controversial 2018 census, proposed a long list of changes to the electorate boundaries for the 2020 and 2023 elections.

The commission received the objections during a one-month feedback submission period ending December 20, Representation Commission chair Judge Craig Thompson said on Thursday.

"Some of the objections are about keeping communities together," he said.

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"Other objections are about the names of some electorates and we've received suggestions for names that people feel better reflect those areas."

Auckland's principal change was the creation of a new electorate called Flat Bush in south Auckland, which would take in parts of the existing Hunua, Manurewa, and Papakura electorates, which was required due to overpopulation.

Supplied Objectors suggested various names for the new proposed Flat Bush electorate, including Takanini, Manukau South, Manurewa East, Totara and Totara Park.

The new electorate would create a domino affect across the region, affecting Helensville, Rodney, New Lynn, Mt Roskill, Maungakiekie and Manukau East.

Manukau East received the majority of the objections, with 64. Objectors were concerned the new boundary would separate Panmure from Mt Wellington.

Barbara Cooper, a Panmure resident of 80 years, said Panmure and Mt Wellington had been linked under various governing local bodies for more than 150 years, while the Panmure Historical Society said the boundary change would "rip Panmure apart".

Fifty-eight people said the name Helensville did not represent the communities within the electorate, instead suggesting Atuanui, Mahurangi and Kaipara, or keeping the name Rodney.

Rodney Local Board deputy chairwoman Beth Houlbrooke suggested the removal of the Rodney name would cause confusion, but agreed Atuanui, the area's highest peak, could be a good alternative.

"North Rodney residents in particular already feel disenfranchised by being part of 'Auckland', so will feel a loss of identity."

Boundary changes to Papakura were mostly supported by 22 people, while 22 objectors to the new Flat Bush electorate suggested adding areas from Botany and Manurewa and calling it Takanini, Flat Bush-Takanini, Manukau South, Manurewa East, Totara or Totara Park.

Hibiscus Coast was put forward as an alternative name by many of the 21 Whangaparāoa objectors, with local Shane McInnes pointing out while the Whangaparāoa Peninsula was a prominent feature of the area, it has long been described as the Hibiscus Coast with locals identifying themselves as "coasties".

None of the general electorates in the lower North Island are changed, other than a name change from Rimutaka to Remutaka. Only one person submitted feedback, supporting the change.

Several changes would likely be made to South Island electorates, particularly around Christchurch.

Selwyn would lose Banks Peninsula, mostly to Port Hills, which would be renamed Banks Peninsula.

There were two submissions for the Christchurch East electorate, one of which was a petition signed by 122 people who opposed moving Bromley up to Linwood Ave from the Port Hills/Banks Peninsula electorate.

"The area is one community and the proposed boundary change will divide it with an artificial barrier," it said.

Most of the 12 people who offered feedback on adding Brightwater to the West Coast electorate Tasman from Nelson objected.

"This proposed boundary change feels as though Brightwater residents' views are being sacrificed just to make up the numbers for the population decline on the West Coast. This seems undemocratic," Brian Scoles said in his submission.

Dunedin North and Dunedin South attracted nine and 12 submissions respectively, mostly objecting to moving the Otago Peninsula to Dunedin North and Balclutha to Dunedin South. Submissions argued the Otago Peninsula was "geographically separated" from Dunedin North.

Submissions for the Clutha-Southland electorate suggested creating a central Otago or Southern Lakes electorate to split tourist and farming areas.

"As an international destination and a huge economic resource to the NZ economy Southern Lakes needs its own electorate and [should] not be grouped into an agricultural farming area," local Nicky Busst said.

The inclusion of Winton to the Invercargill electorate was objected to by 17 people, one of whom said the recent cancellation of a long-standing bus service between the two showed a distinct lack of interest.

The submissions can be viewed online here and people can comment on the objections from January 10 to January 24.

"We'll be taking all submissions into account before finalising the electorate boundaries and names in April for the 2020 and 2023 elections," Judge Thompson said.