Three Wairarapa mayors - Bex Johnson (l), Steve Cretney and Fran Wilde - share their views about a unitary authority for the region. Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
A raft of changes affecting the future shape and functions of local government are in train, raising the question whether Wairarapa would be better served by one combined authority.
Local Democracy Reporting asked the region's mayors - and one recent incumbent - for their views.
With consultation underway on abolishing regional councils and introducing banded rates-caps, as well as ongoing Resource Management Act (RMA) reform, the mayors agreed clarity on the reforms was needed. Former Carterton mayor Ron Mark said a unitary Wairarapa authority would give the region more control over its future.
Former Carterton mayor and Defence Minister Ron Mark said having a unitary authority would be good news for Wairarapa. Photo: LDR/SUPPLIED
"Now, emphatically, we are being told to just get it done," he said. "Is the true feeling to do nothing?
"A few years ago, the Local Government Commission met the three Wairarapa mayors. They said, 'If you three mayors agree, we are confident we can do this within 12 months and we will help you do the work'."
He said one Wairarapa authority meant the region could take control of the policy settings for its natural resources and environment.
"Deep down, some elected members don't want to amalgamate. To move this forward requires leadership from a group the public trusts and, if necessary, not involving the councils.
"At the moment, we are wafting in the breeze. There needs to be clarity of purpose.
"Having a unitary authority will solve many of the issues the councils are facing currently, including the disestablishment of regional councils."
South Wairarapa mayor Fran Wilde broadly supported Wairarapa having one local authority, subject to cost, public support and more information about reforms.
"I personally think that this is the way to go for Wairarapa, but we do need significantly more detail about the cost of a Wairarapa council assuming all regional council delivery.
"There are many moving parts at present."
Wilde strongly believed the region should move rapidly towards sharing services.
"It makes sense to create scale for identical areas of continuous and high spend," she said, adding some key services were already combined.
"Even if we were to retain three elected mayors and councils, plus three chief executives and senior management teams, more joint delivery would save operational costs and provide a more effective strategic platform."
Subject to consultation and public appetite, she thought it could be possible to move relatively quickly towards a combined Wairarapa council.
Masterton mayor Bex Johnson said the implications of the regional council proposal were unknown.
"We do not have a final picture of what these changes will look like, and will not know that until after community consultation ends in February and decisions are made.
"I believe the most appropriate way forward is for the three Wairarapa councils to work together to support the three mayors seeking clarification from the Local Government Commission on the proposed reforms."
Johnson said knowing the cost of establishing a unitary authority was essential and what government support was available to investigate this.
She was aware of public sentiment against Wairarapa being subsumed into a Wellington-wide authority and wanted to avoid this outcome.
Carterton mayor Steve Cretney said future decisions depended on what best served the community and delivered value for ratepayers.
"While councils continue to collaborate where it makes sense, there are no formal moves toward amalgamation."
Cretney intended to work with the mayors to seek clarity from the Minister and Department of Internal Affairs.
"This will help us understand the landscape, before any further discussion. Community engagement will remain central to any process.
"We will not react to uncertainty or perceived threats. We will act only when we have the facts and a clear mandate from our communities."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
