Hutt City Council is considering adding a non-binding referendum question to this year’s local election ballot, asking whether the community supports exploring regional amalgamation.

If approved at a full council meeting next month, the following question will be included in voting papers:

"Should Hutt City Council work with councils in Wellington, Upper Hutt, Porirua 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 Campbell Barry said debate about reorganisation has existed for some time.

"This question simply asks our residents and ratepayers if they want us to explore things further.

"I will be putting this forward for council’s consideration in June, and encourage other councils in the Wellington region to do the same."

The move comes after Porirua City Council agreed yesterday to include in voting papers the question of whether to explore council amalgamation.

The referendum is non-binding and it will be up to the future Council to consider the results after the election.

Voting in the upcoming local elections opens on 9 September and closes at midday on Saturday, 11 October 2025.

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