Committees

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

Committee structure

South Wairarapa District Council’s committee structure is reviewed after each triennial election. The structure for the 2022-25 triennium includes committees and subcommittees of the governing body, and joint groups (these may include members from other Wairarapa councils or the wider Wellington region).

To assist in the efficient running of business, the Council amended the Terms of Reference in November 2023 and has five committees, including the introduction of Portfolios. Council also has one joint committees with other councils.

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

Terms of Reference 2023-2025

Committee meetings, agendas and minutes

Committee membership

Māori Standing Committee

At least one, but up to three councillors appointed by Council in consultation with Iwi representatives and up tp two representatives from each of the three South Wairarapa Marae (Kohunui Marae, Hau Ariki Marae and Pāpāwai Marae). See the Māori Standing Committee page for more details.

Strategy Working Committee

Mayor Martin Connelly
Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter (Chair)
Cr Colin Olds
Cr Kaye McAulay
Cr Aaron Woodcock
Cr Martin Bosley
Cr Aidan Ellims
Cr Alistair Plimmer
Cr Pip Maynard
Cr Rebecca Gray
Violet Edwards and one alternate (to be nominated) – Māori Standing Committee representative

Assurance, Risk and Finance Committee

Bruce Robertson (Independent Chair)
Mayor Martin Connelly
Cr Colin Olds
Cr Kaye McAulay
Cr Aaron Woodcock
Cr Martin Bosley
Karen Mikaera (Māori Standing Committee representative)
Whitu Karauna (Māori Standing Committee representative – Alternate)

CEO Employment Committee

Mayor Martin Connelly
Deputy Mayor Melissa Sadler-Futter
Cr Kaye McAulay
Cr Aidan Ellims

District Licensing Committee

Cr Alistair Plimmer
Cr Kaye McAulay

Portfolio Leads

Infrastructure – Cr Aidan Ellims
Community, Climate and Environmental Wellbeing – Cr Rebecca Gray
Planning and Regulation – Cr Colin Olds

Wairarapa Combined District Plan Joint Committee

The Joint Committee will act as the governance advisory through the review period of the Wairarapa Combined District Plan project. The Committee will also act as the hearings panel for the submissions to the formal notification process.

South Wairarapa District Council Membership:

Cr Alistair Plimmer
Brian Jephson

Terms of Reference for the Wairarapa Combined District Plan Joint Committee

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.

Delegated powers

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