Committees

The Council comprises a Mayor and 10 elected councillors from the four wards of the South Wairarapa district.

Committee structure

South Wairarapa District Council’s committee structure is reviewed after each triennial election. To assist in the efficient running of business, the Council adopted a new Terms of Reference in November 2025.

The structure for the 2025-28 triennium includes committees of the governing body. All amendments throughout the triennium will be captured in the document.

The terms of reference for the committees set out the responsibilities that have been delegated by the Council.

Noted that Mayor Wilde is ex officio on all internal committees.

Click on the links below for more information about the Terms of Reference and meetings.

Committee membership

Māori Partnership Committee

  • At least one, but up to two Councillors appointed by Council in discussion with the chair of the Committee.
  • Two representatives from each of the three South Wairarapa Marae (Kohunui Marae, Papawai Marae and Hau Ariki Marae).
  • Two representatives from Pae Tū Mōkai o Tauira.
  • One representative from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa.
  • One representative from Rangitāne o Wairarapa.
  • The Mayor of South Wairarapa (ex officio).
  • Up to one youth representative in an advocacy role.

Infrastructure Committee

Councillors Colin Olds (Chair), Aidan Ellims (Deputy Chair), Collier Isaacs, Martin Bosley, Rachel Clarke and Deputy Mayor Rob Taylor.

Risk & Assurance Committee

Mr Bruce Robertson (Independent Chair), Deputy Mayor Rob Taylor (Deputy Chair), Councillors Chris Archer, Martin Bosley, Collier Isaacs and Colin Olds.

People & Performance Committee

Mayor Fran Wilde (Chair), Deputy Mayor Rob Taylor (Deputy Chair), Councillors Martin Bosley and Collier Issacs.

District Licensing Committee

Alistair Plimmer – Commissioner (appointed to March 2026)

Environmental Sustainability Committee

Councillors Rachel Clarke (Chair), Collier Isaacs, Andrea Rutene (Deputy Chair), Rupert Watson and Deputy Mayor Rob Taylor.

Economic Growth Committee

Councillors Chris Archer (Chair), Andrea Rutene, Simone Baker, Collier Issacs (Deputy Chair), Colin Olds, and Rupert Watson.

Social Resilience Committee

Councillors Simone Baker (Chair), Colin Olds, Chris Archer, Rupert Watson (Deputy Chair) and Deputy Mayor Rob Taylor.

Delegated powers

Some committees are delegated powers necessary for them to fulfil their terms of reference. Refer to the terms of reference for committees for details of delegated powers.

Wellington Water Committee

Council is a joint owner of Wellington Water along with Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington city councils.

Wellington Water was formed in 2014 to provide dedicated management of council water infrastructure and operations.  SWDC retains ownership of all its infrastructure assets and contracts Wellington Water to provide infrastructure management services. SWDC sets all the policies and performance objectives that are expected to be met by Wellington Water.

All Mayor and Councillor appointments

Click here to view this information.