Does Wellington need to go super-size?

Who, apart from the Mitre 10 Mega front man, really believes that in all circumstances ‘‘big is good’’?

These days we are overwhelmed with advertisements for ‘‘massive’’ – usually pronounced ‘‘ messive’’ – discounts, ‘‘ huge’’ bargains, ‘‘biggest ever’’ sales.

Everywhere you go, even in small towns around New Zealand, we are confronted with enormous, barn-like structures whose owners appear to be trying to prove that only the largest shop can provide you with everything you need. Really?

Certainly, there are economies of scale to be considered. The larger the bulk of goods you purchase, the less individual items actually cost the buyer, so greater profits can be made when they are on- sold. But where do you actually get the best service? Usually in the small businesses which are struggling to carry on in the face of overwhelming challenges from the corporates.

Now, why have I raised this question at all? Over the Christmas holidays, an article in the Dominion Post posed the suggestion of the creation of a super city, similar to that now existing in Auckland, to cover the whole Wellington region. The argument is that a single regional authority would be more cost- effective than our present conglomeration of smaller cities and local bodies. But would it?

Take a look at our region for a start. There is Wairarapa – a huge land area with comparatively small population. There is Wellington which, naturally, would seek to dominate any regional authority from sheer force of numbers and the presence of the seat of national government.

There is the Hutt Valley: two cities whose combined population is 75 per cent of that of Wellington. Together, Porirua and Kapiti have a population half that of Wellington.

In terms of land area, it is interesting to note that the new Auckland super city covers an area of 4894 square kilometres. The Wellington region is nearly twice the size, being 8140 square kilometres. In addition, there are a couple of mountain ranges dividing the region.

There are pros and cons to this argument, of course. A single entity might be simpler, though, given the propensity of local authorities to create jobs and departments, I wouldn’t entirely go along with that. As for cost-effectiveness, have you seen all the publicity surrounding the chief executives of Christchurch and Kapiti and their large increase in salary? Has it occurred to you that the larger the organisation, the higher the salaries expected by those who run it?

It would be very helpful if we were to see some of the figures produced by the super city organisation in Auckland. Has this amalgamation really been a financial gain to the ratepayers? It is time for the masses to mobilise and say something.

If we don’t speak out on this issue, we may well find ourselves, as our fellow citizens in Auckland did, in the throes of a major restructure which we didn’t really want and which may disadvantage ratepayers for generations to come.

To help with this discussion, our meeting this month is open to anyone. We have invited a muster of mayors from the region to speak on the issue and the panel will be chaired by Newstalk ZB’S Justin du Fresne. So come along and ask the questions. Don’t let it be said either that we didn’t have an opinion or that we failed to voice it. Meet: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 1.30pm, The Porirua Club, Lodge Place, Porirua. Contact: Helen Griffith, 236 0112