Upper Hutt likely to back out of Wellington amalgamation, leaked email reveals
Leaked communications suggest that Upper Hutt is unlikely to join a proposed Wellington metro amalgamation, potentially complicating local government reform plans. The decision rests on concerns regarding financial benefits and local representation.
Why it matters
This highlights the friction between regional consolidation efforts and local municipal autonomy in New Zealand's governance structure.
A leaked email shows Upper Hutt is unlikely to sign up to a Wellington metro authority with Lower Hutt, Wellington City and Porirua.
The ramifications of the move could potentially leave the city's fate in the government's hands for local government reforms .
The chief executives of the nine Wellington and Wairarapa councils have two weeks to hammer out options for their councillors to consider and vote on, with the region's amalgamation plan to be sent to the Government by August 9.
A leaked email sent by Wellington mayor Andrew Little to Wellington City councillors on Wednesday evening, after a meeting of the region's Mayoral Forum, said Upper Hutt was "unlikely to agree" to be blended into a Wellington metro authority.
Upper Hutt would consider its inclusion in a proposal they did not agree with akin to "co-opting them against their will", the email claimed.
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