A curved ball has been thrown into the Super-city debate. Hawkes Bay Regional Council have declared that they would like Wairarapa region in their Monster-two cities-half of the North Island Council. ‘Their vision it seems is for one council from Wairoa to Palliser Bay’
They have voted to lodge this proposal with the Local Government Commission and when they do this will trigger the process for us. Its a case of coming ready or not!
It certainly raises some interesting questions. Wellington claim that they should own us based on people type issues such as public transport and the claim that we can’t look after ourselves without help. Hawkes Bay however are hanging their hat on geographical, climate and economic type similarities. Its not a bad argument but with such an enormous area, what happens to the ‘local’ in local government? Somehow I don’t see the mayor of such an area attending many of our local church fairs.
The report commissioned by the three Wairarapa Councils on the viability of Wairarapa governing itself has proven that this is a feasible and logical prospect with good strategic reasons why it should be considered. Wairarapa could be master of its own destiny if it is given the chance. Yes, there are risks but becoming part of a super-city is neither risk free nor necessarily advantageous for us.
A ginger group supporting the super-city concept claim that Wairarapa has been part of Wellington Province since 1853 so with this history, what’s the problem with being governed by the city? Wellington province was disestablished in 1876. It also included Palmerston North, Wanganui and Taupo and there appears to be no move to bring them back into the fold as well.
Perhaps though, with this new proposal from Hawkes Bay on the table, Greater Wellington Regional Council will now indeed look to expand its empire north and west as well?
It’s interesting times and isn’t it wonderful that Wairarapa is such a coveted piece of New Zealand.
