Column by Porirua City Mayor, Anita Baker
Kia ora Porirua,
Over the past few months, there has been increasing discussion about the future shape of local government in Wellington and what that could mean for Porirua. This is an important conversation, and I want to encourage every resident to take an interest, think about the options, and share your views.
Last year, Porirua residents voted in a referendum on whether we should explore local government reorganisation. The result was clear. By a margin of 57 per cent to 43 per cent, residents gave us a mandate to have this discussion. Lower Hutt residents reached exactly the same conclusion.
That doesn’t mean anyone has already decided what the outcome should be. It means we have a responsibility to look at the options, test them properly, and hear what our communities think.
If you oppose any form of change, tell us. If you support change, tell us. If you are undecided, tell us what information you need. We want to hear all views before any decisions are made.
The Government has also made it clear that councils across the Wellington region need to move quickly. It has set a deadline of 8 August for councils to develop a high-level plan showing what a future regional structure could look like.
My view is that we need to keep up the pace. The challenges facing our region are real, and we should have a clear direction before the 2028 local elections.
At the same time, change is already happening. On 1 July, around 30 per cent of Porirua City Council’s responsibilities and budget will transfer to Tiaki Wai as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms. The way local government operates is changing whether we like it or not.
I’ve always been upfront with Porirua. I support some form of change because I believe we can do better for our residents and better as a region. But I am far from locked into any particular model.
What matters most is whether any proposed change will deliver better outcomes.
Wellington is falling behind other parts of New Zealand. As a region, we are becoming relatively poorer. We need stronger economic growth, more jobs, better transport connections, and a clearer vision for the future. How and where we will grow means we will have critical choices through new spatial plans. Those are best developed regionally.
The status quo is always the easiest option. But standing still should not be our default position. We need to honestly assess whether there are better ways to organise ourselves to meet the challenges ahead.
Importantly, a larger regional structure does not have to mean losing local voice. In fact, local representation could be strengthened, while a regional body focuses on the bigger issues that affect us all: economic development, public transport, environmental management, infrastructure, and planning for future growth.
Councillor Moira Lawler successfully secured additional funding to ensure this consultation is done properly. We want to hear from a wide range of Porirua residents before we form a formal council position.
Please take the time to complete the online survey or send us your thoughts directly.
https://poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/reforms/local-government-amalgamation
This is a conversation about the future of our city and our region. Change for its own sake is not enough. But neither is standing still. The question we must answer together is simple: how can we create a stronger future for Porirua and for Wellington?
I encourage you to be part of that discussion. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like me to come and speak to you or a group in our community on this topic.