Governance option talks

A working party has been set up for councils in the Wellington region to discuss options for future governance.

Wairarapa mayors Adrienne Staples, Ron Mark and Garry Daniell said they were pleased with the initiative and had suggested it several times.

"This is consistent with our approach in Wairarapa and we are keen to bring the work we have done over the past 12 months to the table and discuss this with other councils, who have a range of preferences, because all of our work is intertwined," they said in a joint statement.

Last month the three district councils adopted a single Wairarapa unitary council as their preferred option for community consultation which is now under way.

Each council also resolved to continue to explore opportunities for preparing a combined proposal with Wellington metropolitan councils in support of a local government reorganisation application.

"We are currently asking our communities what they think of the options for Wairarapa and it is equally important that we are discussing this with Wellington councils."

More than 700 people attended public meetings held in the five towns to discuss the options open to Wairarapa last week.

For information about local government reform in Wairarapa and to send feedback see www.wairarapasfuture.govt.nz