Local voice, regional strength: Greater Wellington calls for regional services delivered at scale

Greater Wellington has agreed that regional functions like flood protection, public transport, and environmental management must continue to be managed at scale – and has identified that a single unitary authority for the Wellington region can deliver this objective.

Excluded from submitting proposals through the Head Start pathway for Simplifying Local Government, the regional council today agreed to advocate for the model developed by the Wellington Mayoral Forum: a single unitary authority supported by community councils. 

Greater Wellington Chair Daran Ponter says the next phase of reform must be co-designed by communities, councils, their elected members, iwi authorities, and the government – followed by a regional referendum.

“Local government belongs to communities. If reform of this scale is going to proceed, it must be co-designed with the people who get the final say through a referendum,” Cr Ponter says.

“A single unitary authority in the Wellington region with strong community councils is the best way to simplify governance without breaking up the regional systems people rely on.

The Council also agreed to advocate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, Treaty settlement instruments and existing mana whenua relationships to be upheld in any new governance model – with no asset sales as a consequence of reform.

Deputy Chair Ros Connelly says multiple unitary authorities in the Wellington region could compound complexity rather than simplify local government.

“The region can have a stronger, simpler structure and still keep decision-making close to communities. The next design phase must be open, properly resourced and honest about costs, benefits and trade-offs,” Cr Connelly says.

“Until the next steps become clear, Greater Wellington will continue to keep buses and trains running, safeguard communities with flood schemes, and protect the environment in partnership with mana whenua.” 

Greater Wellington will now write to ministers and political party leaders advocating for a single unitary authority designed collaboratively that maintains regional functions and retains local voice.