United council finds favour in Masterton

In the pristine surrounds of Masterton’s state-of-the-art Waiata House, a new direction was on the agenda for most submitters to the Local Government Commission’s amalgamation hearings.

Waiata House opened in 2013 and is only 40 minutes’ drive from the 135-yearold Martinborough Hotel – but it might have been a different world.

In Martinborough on Tuesday, submitters were mostly opposed to plans for a unified Wairarapa council, with some expressing fears it would be dominated by Masterton interests.

But the mood was entirely different in Masterton yesterday. Of 14 submissions put to the commission, 12 supported the draft proposal, one was opposed and one was undecided.

Commissioners Janie Annear, Brendan Duffy and Sir Wira Gardiner listened intently across the day, asking questions and with Gardiner several times responding in Maori when it was spoken.

Masterton district councillor John Dalziell said in a personal submission that, after reforms in 1989, New Zealand went from a few hundred councils down to 86.

‘‘I hope that people realise that amalgamation efforts have improved things from the way they used to be, when you had all sorts of different bodies doing all

"Amalgamation efforts have improved things." Masterton district councillor John Dalziell

sorts of different country.’’

Councillor Chris Petersen, in a personal submission, said potential problems and difficulties would be better handled by a unified council. ‘‘We are not trying to fix problems now, we are trying to future-proof the district for coming challenges.’’

Former Masterton mayor Bob Francis said a combined council could pave the way to fixing problems that had dogged the region for many years.

‘‘Council has done poorly in advocating for improved rail services for Wairarapa, and problems that are increasing around housing and employment would be better dealt with by a combined council.’’

Masterton District Council was strongly in favour of amalgamation for reasons of greater effectiveness and efficiency for the people of Wairarapa, but repeated its dislike of the makeup of the possible transition board.

Iwi came out in support of amalgamation, providing it was representative of Maori interests under the Treaty of Waitangi things around the and the 2002 Local Government Act.

The lone voice of opposition on the day was from Greytown man Michael Roera, representing Ngati Kahukurawhitia, who believed the iwi currently had a good relationship with South Wairarapa District Council.

‘‘I’d like to go back to the old adage, don’t fix what is not broken.’’

Federated Farmers Wairarapa representative Jamie Falloon said members were split 50/50 on whether they supported the proposal.

Farmers had problems with the current council model already being dominated by urban interests, he said.

‘‘At present the farming sector feels under-represented by council.’’

Sue Fox, of Featherston Ratepayers and Residents Association, said her organisation supported the proposal. ‘‘We think it is the way forward for the future of Wairarapa.’’

Gardiner said the commission would be careful to take all perspectives into account when making a decision.

At Tuesday’s meeting in Martinborough, not one of the eight submissions heard was favourable to the proposal, with six opposed and two undecided.

The six in opposition were united in their belief that the plan was flawed and held little benefit for the Wairarapa region as a whole.