The topic of whether to explore council amalgamation will be included in Porirua City voting papers in this year’s local election, after a decision of Porirua City Council today.

Mayor Anita Baker put a report to the full Council today, seeking approval to add a non-binding referendum question to this year’s voting documents.

The question to be included is:

"Should Porirua City Council work with councils in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and the Wellington Regional Council to explore the possibility of creating one single council, that combines relevant services and functions regionally, while keeping appropriate local services and decision making local?"

Mayor Baker said the last time amalgamation was proposed for the Wellington Region was 2013, and since then the local government environment had changed considerably.

"I believe it’s the right time to ask our residents what they think. We’ve had discussions across the region on whether or not amalgamation is a worthwhile idea, but we’ve never asked our people.

"This is about democracy in action. I get asked what I think, but it should be about what the residents think.

"For me it’s about local voice and keeping our local voice."

Mayor Baker said the Government had signalled that it would support amalgamation if the movement originates from local communities.

"This referendum would provide an opportunity for the debate to be had in our city, and potentially across the region, and provide a good basis for future decision-making."

The referendum is non-binding and if voters are supportive it will be up to the future Council, post-election, to work with other councils in the region to explore the idea, she said.

"The future Council would not be bound by this referendum, but it will provide a strong indication of residents’ support."

After debating the issue, the Council voted nine to one in favour of including the question in the voting papers.

The local election will take place in October this year. As well as voting for the city’s Mayor and councillors, there is a binding poll on whether to retain the city’s Māori Ward.

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