From the Mayor

After nearly two years of research and debate the process for local government reorganisation in Wairarapa has begun.  The three councils all passed resolutions to lodge an application with the Local Government Commission. 

In South Wairarapa the vote was unanimous as it was in Carterton, while Masterton passed it seven to four.  That is a very strong mandate and an indication on how united the three councils are on the need to do things better.  Nevertheless there are still people who are asking why we have to ‘reorganise’ at all.

There is no doubt that South Wairarapa District Council is in the healthiest state financially than it has been in a long while.  It has some excellent staff and is meeting all its statutory requirements so why change?  Well our current structure is basically the same as it was twenty five years ago but the way we do business has changed vastly. 

With computer technology, modern communications and transport it is impossible to justify three separate bureaucracies.  Running three councils, three mayors and three sets of staff just doesn’t make sense anymore.  The big issue is, what new arrangement will suit us best?

From here on in that is the question that the Local Government Commission will ask.  It will look at all the options and do its own consultation.  The process will take a year to eighteen months to complete and even more time to implement if the final proposal for change is successful.

Some people might remember the strap line from the old television advertisement for Ponds 7 Day Beauty Cream – it won’t happen overnight but it will happen.  In the meantime it is very much business as usual for SWDC.
Adrienne Staples