By Mayor Anita Baker
As we head into the Christmas break, I wanted to take the chance to check in with Porirua News readers, share a few reflections on where Porirua is heading, and of course wish you and your whānau a very happy Christmas and a bright start to the New Year.
It’s been a busy few weeks since the local elections. Council is now fully in place and getting on with the job in a climate we all recognise. Families are feeling the squeeze, and people quite rightly expect councils to be careful with every dollar. Many of us ran for office on that promise, and we take that responsibility seriously.
At the same time, local government across the Wellington region is on the cusp of significant change. The Government has signalled major reform, including a rethink of regional councils and how services are organised and delivered. Many mayors and councillors see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design a system that’s simpler, more efficient and more responsive, not by patching up what we have, but by getting the foundations right.
For Porirua, that conversation is about working more closely with our neighbours, Wellington City, Hutt City and Upper Hutt, and bringing together local and regional responsibilities that are currently spread across multiple organisations. The aim is straightforward: clearer accountability, less duplication, and services that are easier for residents to navigate and rely on.
Council colleagues and I anticipated that this moment was coming. That’s why, back in October, we included a referendum question on the ballot asking residents how they felt about stronger regional cooperation. We wanted community views guiding the discussion from day one. Any new model will only succeed if people understand it, support it, and can see themselves in it. You’ll be hearing much more from me on this topic in the year ahead, and I’ll be just as keen to hear your thoughts.
I also want to briefly touch on the Government’s proposal for a rates cap. I understand why it appeals. Cost-of-living pressures are real, and councils must play their part. But our biggest cost drivers aren’t household items, they’re roads, pipes, materials and construction costs. A blunt cap doesn’t make asphalt or steel cheaper. What it can do is encourage short-term fixes and deferred maintenance, the very approach that left councils with aging infrastructure and big backlogs. In practical terms, that can mean a bigger bill waiting down the track. We’re committed to keeping costs down regardless, but we also owe you honesty about the trade-offs.
Finally, thank you to the many hundreds of Porirua residents who give their time through churches, sports clubs, charities and community organisations, especially at this time of year. You are the quiet strength that keeps our city connected. I wish you all a safe, restful Christmas and a positive year ahead.