First details of Wellington supercity emerging

The first details are emerging of what a Wellington supercity could look like, as the deadline for councils to submit amalgamation proposals looms.

Wellington's mayors are considering a model of a merged Wellington-Wairarapa council, with one regional mayor, and a layer of "community councils" sitting beneath that.

Those community councils might represent Wairarapa, Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Hutt Valley, and Wellington - though exactly who is in or out is up for debate.

Wellington deputy mayor Ben McNulty said "the bones" of Wellington's proposal were taking shape, but stressed it was far from definite.

"No agreement or decisions have been made that the five community councils is the right number or that the boundaries that are proposed are the ones that will go forward - it's just simply what's being discussed at the moment."

Any model would have to be ratified by inidvidual councils too.

Councils throughout the country have until 9 August to submit reorganisation plans to officials or the government will do it for them.

It's part of a drive from ministers to simplify local government who say they want to create larger, more efficient councils, and reduce duplication.

The Wellington-Wairarapa unitary council would take care of responsibilities such as emergency management, rates, transport, large-scale planning and flood protection - according to advice provided from consultants MartinJenkins.

It would consist of the regional mayor, unitary councillors elected from wards, and the community council chairs.

MartinJenkins Partner Sarah Baddeley told Wellington City Councillors at a workshop on Thursday that the regional mayor would have a considerably bigger job than the current one, requiring law changes and extra checks and balances on executive power.

McNulty said community councils were also designed to be more powerful than community boards - overseeing pools, libraries and grants.

"[Community councils] would have a level of devolution that currently there's no layer in New Zealand that exists - so that's why community councils are a new thing."

McNulty said he supported the Wellington councils submitting an amalgamation proposal by August 9th.

But he said whichever model was decided on - it wouldn't be cheap.

"Anyone who tries to sell amalgamation as a magic silver bullet for reducing rates is barking up the wrong tree. The process of amalgamating councils, of running multiple systems, integrating things...is ultimately expensive.. you expect in the long run you will have a more efficient organisation, and one that is more cost-effective."

Wairarapa councils considering 'trade-offs'

South Wairarapa mayor Dame Fran Wilde said the three Wairarapa councils were still considering either joining up with a Wellington super-city, or separating out into their own single council.

She said even if Wairarapa went it alone, there would still need to be carve-outs for services like transport, and flood-protection.

A larger greater Wellington regional model could ensure better strategic decision- making.

"The challenge is for us is making sure we have sufficient local voice on local issues in Wairarapa and that we have a sufficient voice around the bigger table."

Dame Fran said the decision was "not about identity", but about ensuring local "voice".

"There is some reluctance on the part of Wairarapa people - they think they might lose their voice in Wellington...so that's what we're working on, arrangements around the voice and representation - they're the big issues for us.

"Wairarapa people are quite thoughtful, and they are thinking through these issues."