Kāpiti Mayor welcomes decision to rethink amalgamation

Kāpiti Mayor Ross Church says he welcomes the announcement by the Local Government Commission that it is scrapping a proposal for a Wellington Super City. 

The commission announced it has abandoned the idea of merging the nine local bodies in the region into a single Greater Wellington Council with eight local boards. 

“We’ve consistently said the proposal should only go ahead if there was demonstrable public support for it. It’s clear there is no appetite for this in the wider region and there’s been too much haste in attempting to foist it upon us.

“We also believed strongly that a poll of residents should be held to mandate any final proposal produced by the commission.

“I am glad that the commission has listened and made this sensible decision. Let’s now take the time to really consult and get a thorough idea of what will work best for our region and this district before proceeding further.“

Mayor Church said council research had shown Kāpiti residents were split 50/50 on the question of amalgamation and research commissioned by other councils showed “massive” feeling against it.

Mayor Church says he will be discussing today’s announcement with councillors and looking forward to the next steps.

“If ever there was time, as David Lange put it: 'to pause and have a cuppa’, this is it. The spectre of amalgamation has shaken up local government in our region and now it’s time for cool heads, greater consultation and good strategic decision making.

"We look forward to working with the commission and other councils to promote more effective local government in the region, whatever form that may take.”