Wairarapa councils to consider panel report

A new report to be released on Tuesday will be considered by the three Wairarapa district councils as part of their work on proposing a new local government arrangement for the region.

The Wellington Review Panel, appointed by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council and chaired by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, will release findings of its governance review of the greater Wellington region.

“Our councils are well down the track in their work on the issue and we look forward to adding the panel’s report to Wairarapa’s own work in considering and developing a governance proposal for the future,” Wairarapa mayors Adrienne Staples, Garry Daniell and Ron Mark said.

The working party representing the South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton District Councils has been working towards a preferred option for local government reform since last year and expects to take this to its councils next month.

“Our councils and working party all met with the panel and shared our information with it, as we have done with Wellington councils through the Mayoral Forum.”

“Since last year, Wairarapa people have clearly and consistently told us that they strongly support a single Wairarapa council,” the Wairarapa mayors said. “They see Wairarapa and Wellington as vastly different communities of interest and are strongly of the view that Wairarapa should not become part of one council for the greater Wellington region.”

Local government laws are set to change by the end of this year, making reorganisations easier with rationalisation of councils in the greater Wellington region a government priority.

“Change is inevitable with new laws coming and potentially through proposals made by other parties that could affect Wairarapa. It is very clear that Wairarapa people want control over their own destiny, and to retain strong local representation and decision-making,” the mayors said.

Options for a single Wairarapa council are one council that is responsible for both district council and regional council work, or an amalgamated district leaving regional functions to a Wellington-based council.

The three mayors said they were open to exploring arrangements with neighbouring councils through shared services, joint ventures, council controlled organisations or outsourcing to control costs and retain strong local representation.

“Our councils are keen to hear from Wairarapa residents on the panel’s report and any of our work which is available on the Wairarapa’s Future website or at district council offices,” the mayors said. “Talk to us, write or email us, visit our Facebook page – it is vital that people have their say on an issue that will affect everyone.”

Wairarapa residents will be asked for their views on any draft proposal for change in Wairarapa through a consultation process.

Further information and the Wairarapa governance reports are available on the working party’s website www.wairarapasfuture.govt.nz and at district council offices in Wairarapa.

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