Media Release
7 April 2009

Local Government Amalgamation to Make Wellington Greater

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes the government’s decision on a new structure for Auckland and believes that Wellington must move fast to identify the best structure for local government governance in the region.

“Local businesses we have polled support amalgamation of the Wellington councils. The case is even stronger now in light of the government decisions on Auckland announced today”, said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

“We have long supported some form of council rationalisation in the Wellington region but the case is now undeniable. If Auckland is going to move towards a super city, to maintain relativity Wellington needs to do the same.

“In this region we have nine councils for a population of 474,000. The ratio is much higher and the situation much worse than in Auckland.

“While it is true the so-called Wellington Regional Strategy has enhanced communication between Wellington councils. This is not a sustainable long term solution and is no substitute for full amalgamation.

“The best way to realise efficiency gains and achieve better quality decision making in Wellington is some form of amalgamation.

“Wellington needs to act now so that a new structure is up and running in time for the 2010 local body elections and so that it can best suit Wellington regional needs,” Mr Finny concluded.

ENDS

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