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Home / Politics

Watch NZH Local Focus: Will three become one in Wairarapa?

By Kaysha Brownlie.
NZ Herald·
22 Mar, 2017 04:50 PM3 mins to read

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Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils may be merged if a draft proposal published by the Local Government Commission is successful. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

There are three Mayors in Wairarapa for three different councils.

All of them support the idea of South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton district councils becoming one.

But none of them are saying if they want the top job.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson says: "I'm not putting my hand up, but I'm not putting it down either, so we will just wait and see."

Carterton Mayor John Booth says the role of the Mayor would be challenging, "I like challenge, I'm a farmer as well as a Mayor, I'm in my early sixties so I've still got a bit of youth, I think".

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South Wairarapa Mayor Vivien Napier says: "I haven't thought about anything like that and at the moment it's not even on the horizon I can tell you".

The Local Government Commission has drafted a proposal which would see 12 elected councillors from seven wards sit under one Mayor.

Submissions on the proposal are open until May 3.

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Mrs Napier says there are long term benefits but, "in the short term the gains are not that great".

Mr Booth says: "If the people want it, I totally will get in behind it."

Mrs Patterson says she thinks it will be good for the region.

Masterton is earmarked as the main centre for the super council - but that may not mean all council business would shift there.

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"I'd like to think a Wairarapa District Council would have its meetings in Martinborough, in Featherston in Greytown, in Carterton and in Masterton, they don't have to be at the same place," Mrs Patterson says.

Less than an hour apart - the three Mayors already know each other well - and they agree it will only work if people still feel they have a voice.

"Community boards are going to be a key, they are going to have to play a big part in making sure the communities are getting what they want to do in their own community," Mrs Napier says.

There will be five community boards catering to Featherston, Martinborough, Greytown, Carterton and Masterton.

Mr Booth says his district is most likely to initiate a poll.

He says he's heard from some locals who oppose the merger, adding that their concerns were they will "get swallowed up and big brother will take us over".

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"I don't think that will happen."

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Mrs Patterson says.

"Let's make the most of it, I think the three councils are really keen to hear and to encourage our community to have a say in the process with the local government commission."

If at least 10 per cent of electors in any of the three councils sign a petition calling for a referendum - a Wairarapa-wide poll will be held to decide whether or not amalgamation should go ahead.

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