A lot has changed since I last wrote about council amalgamations. The Government has changed the rules, the timelines, and the consequences. Two reform pathways were established:
- Head Start – Councils submit a joint proposal for new unitary councils. This must show simplification, economies of scale, and protection of local voice.
- Backstop – If councils don’t submit a viable proposal, the Government will impose a process and decide on a structure which meets their criteria.
Councils in our region put two Head Start proposals forward:
- a region-wide unitary proposal supported by Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council and South Wairarapa District Council.
- a Wairarapa proposal supported by Carterton District Council and Masterton District Council.
Upper Hutt City and Kapiti Coast District Councils opted out of the Head Start process, so the above proposals do not have their endorsement. Note that Head Start proposals only needs a simple majority of the region’s councils or population to be considered by Government.
Why I Supported Entering the Head Start Process
In 2013, Hutt City fought to avoid being swallowed by a Supercity. Our council was in a far better financial position than other councils in the region, with lower debt and rates, and with less pressing infrastructure issues. Eighty percent of our residents were against amalgamation.
Since 2013, all councils have faced major shocks — earthquakes, infrastructure failures, rising costs. Hutt City Council’s financial position is now much closer to its neighbours. Current long‑term forecasts are unaffordable. Incremental changes won’t deliver the step‑change solutions our region needs.
We are navigating a government‑driven restructuring with no option to stay as we are. Entering the Head Start process keeps us at the table and ensures our community’s voice is part of designing whatever comes next.