Former mayors back Wellington ‘super-city’ vote as debate looms
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
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Three former mayors are urging residents to back an upcoming referendum on creating a Wellington “super city” – a move that could set the stage for one of the biggest debates of the next council term.
Porirua’s former leaders John Burke, Jenny Brash and Nick Leggett believe the current fragmented system of governance is holding the region back, and that voters now have a chance to set amalgamation in motion.
“The system – and the outdated boundaries – haven’t changed since my time as mayor which is over a quarter of a century ago,” Burke said. “That alone shows local government isn’t fit for purpose.
“Right now, Porirua and the wider region are being held back. Instead of competing nationally and internationally, we waste energy fighting each other. And when one city poaches a business or development from another, nobody really wins.”
Brash, who spent 12 years on the regional council, said issues such as transport, housing, climate adaptation, and regulatory services could only be delivered effectively at a regional scale. “We are one regional environment and it’s important that we see ourselves that way.”
Leggett recalled his earlier push for amalgamation with Fran Wilde.
The last attempt at a Wellington “super city” was binned by the Local Government Commission in 2015 after strong opposition, including by the Wairarapa and Kāpiti councils.
But historic rates rises and mounting infrastructure costs have put councils under pressure, with central government stepping in to reform water services, reform functions under the Resource Management Act and legislate to rein in council spending and cap rates.
“The inclusion of the Wairarapa was a mistake and while we didn’t succeed, the need hasn’t gone away for the four cities of the region,” Leggett said. “If anything, it’s grown.
“Any change however, must retain community-led decision making for local services and neighbourhood planning,”
In the upcoming local body elections, Hutt City and Porirua residents will receive an additional referendum question in voting packs asking whether they support exploring a merger of the region’s five councils – Wellington, Porirua, Hutt City, Upper Hutt and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Amalgamating two or more councils is overseen by the Local Government Commission and needs the support of affected communities.
It can be requested by councils, a group of at least 10% of voters, or the minister of local government.
In July, The Post revealed council chief executives were warning local government reform, that might include amalgamation, was inevitable.
The three former mayors say that a decade ago, some believed Wellington had to “save” Porirua and the Hutt Valley.
They argue that too many families live, work, and go to school across two or three different cities, yet the region is held back by fragmented governance.
Wellington mayoral hopeful Andrew Little has also backed amalgamation. He said that if elected, he would lead a public discussion with neighbouring councils and, if there was support, put the question to a referendum at the 2028 election.
Fellow candidate Diane Calvert has said it was worth asking people about amalgamation, but the opportunity had been missed at this year’s election.
Ray Chung favours holding a referendum – though not necessarily amalgamation itself.
* In partnership with The Post, BNZ and Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga Waka, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host the 2025 Wellington Mayoral Debate on Wednesday 17 September, featuring candidates Andrew Little, Ray Chung, Diane Calvert, Karl Tiefenbacher and Alex Baker, moderated by The Post’s Andrea Vance.