Porirua residents will soon have their say on whether the city should explore amalgamation with neighbouring councils, following a decision by the Porirua City Council to include a non-binding referendum in this year’s local election.
The referendum question, approved in a nine-to-one council vote, will ask voters: “Should Porirua City Council work with councils in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and the Wellington Regional Council to explore the possibility of creating one single council, that combines relevant services and functions regionally, while keeping appropriate local services and decision making local?”
Mayor Anita Baker, who introduced the proposal, said it was time for the community to weigh in on a conversation that has been largely held at the political level since the last major amalgamation debate in 2013.
“I believe it’s the right time to ask our residents what they think,” Baker said. “We’ve had discussions across the region on whether or not amalgamation is a worthwhile idea, but we’ve never asked our people. This is about democracy in action.”
Baker stressed that the move aims to preserve local voice while considering efficiencies and collaboration across councils. She noted that the government has signalled support for amalgamation if it stems from grassroots interest.
“The referendum would provide an opportunity for the debate to be had in our city, and potentially across the region, and provide a good basis for future decision-making,” she said.
While the referendum result will not be binding, it is expected to guide the incoming council after the October election. Alongside choosing a mayor and councillors, voters will also decide in a binding poll whether to retain the city’s Māori Ward.
The inclusion of the amalgamation question marks a significant moment for Porirua’s future governance, inviting public input on how local and regional services might be delivered more effectively in the years ahead.
