Tuesday 20^th, I organised an open meeting to form the Upper Hutt residents united coalition. The main purpose of the meeting was to raise opposition to amalgamation of Wellington regions council into one council. The small turn out either was because people are not interested in opposing amalgamation or they are unaware that Upper Hutt’s Mayor and therefore the UHCC has entered into talks with other Mayors in the region to consider not just amalgamation, but what sort of amalgamation does our council and Mayor support. People on the street were unaware that these talks were being entered into by our council most likely because at the last local body election voters in Upper Hutt were not canvassed on whether or not they even wanted to discuss the possibility of amalgamation. While our mayor may have mooted her willingness to do so I think it would have been missed by most voters. The meeting agreed to form the Upper Hutt residents united coalition and as its number one priority to oppose amalgamation. The meeting also discussed the setting up of the council owned Tiaki Wai water organisation against the agreement of residents who participated in the submission process and the Central governments hand in forcing this and  “their” proposal to eliminate our elected regional council. All this, it was agreed puts local democracy at risk. It needs to be debated in relation to our up and coming general election.  In my opinion it has far reaching ramifications where the general populous lose democratic control by the functions of council being given over to boards and committees such as Tiaki Wai and the proposed replacement of elected regional councils. What we risk is big business prioritised over the community’s needs and the environment we enjoy for the believed folly that loss of councils, rates capping and not spending on the “nice to haves” in favour of” Essentials “will reduce rates.

An article in today’s post Rates cap could hit arts funding bears the risk. The group will have more meetings and will be on the street and in public places canvassing residents’ opposition to amalgamation. For updates Fb Like Upper Hutt Keep It Local or contact Teresa Homan gintyjane@gmail.com or tshoman@kinect.co.nz

Teresa Homan

A “thank you” to Teresa Homan for sending this letter to The Upper Hutt Connection.

22/01/26