Wellington regional leaders have continued discussions around the future of local government reform, meeting at Silverstream as pressure mounts from central government to deliver proposals within a newly announced three-month timeframe.

The Wellington Mayoral Forum gathered to examine options for regional governance reform as part of ongoing work responding to the Government’s “Simplifying Local Government” policy.

Forum Chair and Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said discussions remained constructive, but no final decisions had been reached. He acknowledged the Government’s accelerated timeline had added complexity to an already significant process.

Regional leaders have been working on governance reform options since November, focusing on how councils across the Wellington region could operate more effectively while ensuring communities remain involved in decisions about their future.

Deputy Chair and South Wairarapa Mayor Dame Fran Wilde said the next stage would involve reporting back to individual councils to allow councillors across the region to take part in further discussions.

The governance review comes amid growing debate nationally about council structures, infrastructure pressures, costs to ratepayers, and how local authorities can better deliver services across rapidly growing urban areas.

The Wellington region has faced increasing scrutiny over water infrastructure, transport coordination, and long-term planning, all of which have intensified calls for structural reform.

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