The Local Government Commission is proposing a combined district council for the Wairarapa to be called the Wairarapa District Council. This would replace the existing Masterton District Council, the Carterton District Council, and the South Wairarapa District Council.

Summary of key features (more details can be found in the proposal document and the Commission’s decision paper).

• The Wairarapa District Council would be a territorial authority.
• The Wairarapa would remain part of the Wellington region. Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) would continue to be the regional council for the Wairarapa. GWRC would continue to carry out its current roles and responsibilities.
• There would be a new Wairarapa Committee of the GWRC to strengthen Wairarapa input into regional council issues affecting the district.
• The Wairarapa District Council would have a mayor and 12 councillors. The mayor would be elected by voters from across the combined district. The councillors would be elected by voters of each of seven wards.
• There would be five community boards centred on each Wairarapa town. There would be a total of 21 elected community board members.
• There would also be a Māori Standing Committee and a Rural Standing Committee.
• The first elections could be held in October 2018 at the earliest. The new council could come into existence on 1 November 2018 at the earliest.
• The Wairarapa District Council would retain area offices in Masterton, Carterton and Martinborough for at least five years.
• It is proposed that the principal public office (the address for service) would be in Masterton. The principal public office can be changed in the future by the new council.
• The Commission proposes that the current rating arrangements remain in place until 30 June 2024.
• Any rates changes due to the proposed amalgamation would be capped at five per cent up or down per year. (This cap would not apply to rates changes as a result of normal council activities, such as changes to services or revised rating valuations.)
• Wastewater rates would be ring-fenced so people only pay for the wastewater scheme they are currently part of.

Local Government Commission Meet and Greet Times

For more information or to make a submission visit the Local Government Commission website.  The Commission will be taking submissions on the proposal until 4pm, 3 May 2017.