'No new information' at meeting on governance

Ratepayers say more information is needed on possible options for the governance of the region, after a meeting with councillors earlier this week.

The options for future governance in Wairarapa are still being investigated by councils, although two reports have been presented to ratepayers and a telephone survey is being undertaken.

A joint hearings committee heard submissions in August last year on a report by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers, outlining options for local government reform.

The Wairarapa Governance Review Working Party invited those submitters back on Wednesday to update them on progress.

South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples said there was good discussion at the meeting and lots of sensible questions.

She said because those people had taken the time to submit the PricewaterhouseCoopers survey, they felt they needed the opportunity to ask questions.

They were shown a presentation previously given to the media, which outlined the findings of the more recent report undertaken by Morrison Low on the matter.

"Any meeting like that is worthwhile in keeping our ratepayers informed," she said.

But submitter Roddy McKenzie said that nothing new was learned at the meeting.

"We had no new information whatsoever," he said. "They've got a long way to go."

He said it was disappointing the group was unable to present them with any facts or figures. "I was expecting some progress."