Numbers for change

A regional survey of opinions on possible council amalgamations or a super-city reveals some interesting details on who wants what.

Territorial authorities commissioned the Colmar Brunton survey.

A total of 500 people were polled in Kapiti and 400 in each of the other council areas.

Across the whole region a slight majority of 58 per cent favoured existing councils and boundaries.

But females aged under 35, people who do not own their homes, Asians and those on low to middle incomes were most likely to prefer no change.

Fifty-two per cent of females wanted things to stay the same, as did 61 per cent of those younger than 35, 59 per cent of nonratepayers, 67 per cent of Asians, 60 per cent of those in households with annual income between $30,000 and $50,000, and 57 per cent of people in households with income between $ 50,000 and $80,000.

Over 55-year-olds were most likely to like the idea of amalgamating into three councils, one for Wairarapa, one in the Hutt Valley and a third for Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti.

A two-council option was also popular with the over-55s, as well as those on higher household incomes of $80,000 or more.