Hutt City Council has sent a questionnaire to all households about possible reform of local government in the Wellington region.
If you did not receive the questionnaire or would prefer to answer it online, read the options below and then fill in the questionnaire. You can leave comments about your preference on the online form. There is also space to tell us about your own idea if you don't like any of the options below.
Message from Mayor Ray Wallace on local government reform
Possible amalgamation? Five thing you may wish to know
OPTION 1: KEEP THINGS LARGELY THE SAME
Existing councils and council boundaries would remain. The councils would be free to enter into more shared services arrangements. These could include combining administrative functions such as finance, information technology and human resources, or front-line services such as road maintenance, the running of libraries, parks and pools, and providing water and wastewater services. Nevertheless, each council would retain overall control of its own area.
OPTION 2: THREE COUNCILS
Under this option, the regional council would be abolished and the remaining eight councils divided into three geographically distinct areas: Hutt Valley (Upper Hutt and Hutt city councils), Wellington (Wellington and Porirua city councils and Kapiti Coast District Council) and Wairarapa (Carterton, Masterton and South Wairarapa district councils). These three new entities – Hutt Valley, Wellington and Wairarapa – would make arrangements to run some services jointly, such as public transport and the supply of water and wastewater services. Again, each council would retain control of its own geographic area.
OPTION 3: ONE COUNCIL
All nine councils would be abolished, and a single authority would govern the whole region – a super-city. Ten local boards would be set up to give a voice to individual communities, but their members would not formally sit around the council table, as elected councillors do, instead putting up recommendations based on residents’ views.
OPTION 4: YOUR OWN IDEA
You have your own suggestion about how local authorities could be structured to produce better results.
The deadline to respond is October 26.
Fill in the online form and tell us which option you prefer.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
How are things now?
What are shared services?
What are council-controlled organisations?
Colmar Brunton survey
In July this year an independent telephone survey was carried out by Colmar Brunton to gauge how residents feel about local government in the region. Regionally 3,300 people were surveyed, including 400 people from Hutt City and 400 people from Upper Hutt. Read the full Colmar Brunton survey report.
Wellington Review Panel
This Panel has been established by the Porirua City and Greater Wellington Regional Councils to investigate local government reform in the Wellington region. Visit their website for more information.
PricewaterhouseCoopers report
Last year the Wellington Mayoral Forum commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to produce a report that analysed governance in the Wellington region. Read the full report.
Financial impact information
During the submission period, when information about the financial impact of the options proposed comes to hand, we will publish it on this website.
When submissions close
After submissions have closed, if you want to speak at a meeting in support of your submission please tell us on the online form so we can arrange a time with you. These meetings will be held in November by community boards and committees.
COMMUNITY MEETING DATES
Community boards and community committees are also planning a series of public meetings during the submission period to hear you voice on this important issue.
- Petone Community Board
Wednesday, September 19, 6pm, Petone Library Building, 7 Britannia Street, Petone
- Wainuiomata Community Board
Wednesday, September 26, 7pm, Wainuiomata Library Meeting Room
- Eastbourne Community Board
Monday, October 1, 7pm, ESSC Clubrooms, Tuatoru Street, Eastbourne
- Western Community Committee
Wednesday, September 19, 7.30pm, Belmont Ratepayers’ Improvement Association, AGM Belmont Memorial Hall and Wednesday, September 26, 7.30pm, St Aidans, cnr Poto Road and Stratton Street, Normandale
- Central Community Committee
Saturday, September 29, 9am – 4pm Westfield Mall
- Northern Community Committee
Thursday, October 4, 7pm, Stokes Valley Community Hall Supper Room and Thursday, October 11, 7pm, Taita RSA
- Eastern Community Committee
Thursday October 4, 2pm to 4pm, Waiwhetu Uniting Church Hall, 6 Trafalgar Street, Waiwhetu.