Upper Hutt residents want their city’s interests represented in regional discussions about potential amalgamation and have made it clear that any future change must protect affordability, local representation, community identity, and transparent decision-making.

Between 2 and 17 June 2026, Council asked the community for feedback on the future shape of local government in the Wellington region.

The engagement was designed to help inform Council’s consideration of the Government’s Head Start pathway, which gives councils the option to work together to develop a high-level proposal for local government reorganisation in their area. The alternative pathway called Back Stop would introduce wider Government-led reform from 2028.

The feedback shows strong support for Upper Hutt being part of the conversation, but this does not mean they necessarily support council amalgamation.

Of the 455 survey responses received, 82.4 percent supported Council taking the Head Start pathway rather than waiting for the Government’s Backstop process, which could see councils being told what amalgamation will look like for them.

Respondents signalled a preference for a careful and evidence-led approach, with 49.2 percent wanting Council to participate cautiously and 44.3 percent wanting Council to actively shape proposals. Only 7.8 percent wanted Council to stay out of the process.

On the question of potential council amalgamation itself, community views were more cautious. While 9.3 percent supported combining councils regardless of the outcome, 49.8 percent were open to change only if outcomes clearly improved, 33.5 percent did not support combining councils under any circumstances, and 12.1 percent were unsure or needed more information.

 “What our community has told us is clear. Upper Hutt needs to be in the room so our priorities are heard, but any future proposal should be tested through consultation,” says Upper Hutt Mayor Peri Zee.

“Our residents want to understand how this change would impact their families’ access to community services, how decisions would be made about local issues and how much it’ll cost to live in Upper Hutt.”

The strongest themes from the feedback included rates and affordability, local representation, community identity, the need for more information, continued community involvement, and the importance of considering a range of options before any preferred direction is identified.

Many residents questioned whether reform would deliver genuine savings and raised concerns about Upper Hutt ratepayers subsidising infrastructure or debt elsewhere in the region.

Others emphasised the importance of retaining a strong local voice in decision-making, protecting Upper Hutt’s distinct identity and character, and ensuring residents remain involved as discussions progress. Residents also called for clearer information about potential financial impacts, governance arrangements, and the evidence supporting any future proposal.

“This feedback gives Council a strong mandate to keep Upper Hutt’s interests at the centre of regional discussions. It does not predetermine any final position on amalgamation. It tells us to proceed carefully, ask hard questions, and make sure the community can see how its feedback is shaping our approach,” says Mayor Zee.

The Government has set a deadline of 9 August for councils to submit a high-level Head Start proposal. If chosen to go ahead, proposals will proceed to a detailed design phase. The Government has indicated councils will have an opportunity to consult with communities before final Cabinet decisions on any changes are made in May 2027.

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

01/07/26