Another member of the public thought the unitary authority was a financially viable option and said the estimated $11.2 million regional council spend in Wairarapa was "unbelievable".
"It's more like three or four million," he said.
"We'll never get the true figure out of them."
Another resident questioned whether Wairarapa would share in the "doom, desperation and destruction" predicted during the re-organisation of Eastbourne and Petone councils some years ago.
Another questioner from the floor asked whether one person would be able to represent Wairarapa as a mayor or councillor on a Wellington council. "Do you think it's too big a job?"
Mrs Staples replied it would be full-time job that might be difficult.
She urged the public to give the working party more feedback to allow them to put an informed proposal to the commission next year.
"This is going to happen one way or another. We'd be fooling ourselves if we thought anything else."
Also in attendance were working party chair Lyn Patterson, Greater Wellington regional councillor Gary McPhee, representatives from the three district councils, and Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stephanie Gundersen-Reid.
A Martinborough public meeting was held last night, while Masterton's meeting is tonight at 7.30pm at the Frank Cody Lounge, Masterton Town Hall.