Rob Taylor South Wairarapa Deputy Mayor

17/07/2026

South Wairarapa - what does the future of local government for our region look like? 🔮

The Government has announced changes to local government structures across New Zealand, with councils expected to submit proposals for future governance arrangements by 9 August 2026. The focus is on creating “unitary authorities” - single councils that deliver both regional and local services.

In response, the three Wairarapa district councils have been exploring what these changes could mean for our communities. While there have been a number of possibilities discussed, it's important to note that no decision has been made.

At this stage, two broad options are being considered:

✅ A single Wairarapa Council delivering both local and regional services. This option would combine South Wairarapa, Carterton and Masterton district councils into a single Wairarapa unitary authority which would also deliver regional council functions. Delivery of regional services such as rail, maritime, spatial planning and emergency management would require a special vehicle such as a Council Controlled Organisation to be set up with other unitary authorities in the wider region.

✅ A Wellington Region Unitary Authority covering Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast and Wairarapa. This option would make Wairarapa part of a larger unitary authority, delivering all current local and regional council functions. The Unitary Authority would be responsible for all policy and delivery, with funding and delivery of local services delegated to Community Councils e.g. a Wairarapa Community Council.

Both options present opportunities and challenges. This is a significant conversation about how local government could work in the future, and with the Government's tight timeframe, it's important that we hear from as many people as possible.

📢 Share your feedback by Sunday 26 July. This is a tight timeframe and usually, these things would be given considerable resources and time and the ability to fully consult with the community. Your feedback will help inform council discussions and the proposal that is ultimately put forward.

👉 Complete the survey here: https://haveyoursay.swdc.govt.nz/amalgamation

15/07/2026

Come along to this presentation if you are interested in Martinborough’s future:

15/07/2026

Congratulations to the Wairarapa Times-Age for a clear and timely article outlining the challenges we face in securing a replacement for the Waihenga Bridge

NZTA has shifted the goalposts yet again. The bridge was once scheduled for replacement between 2021–2026. That moved to 2036. Now we are being told it could be pushed out by another 20–40 years. That simply isn’t good enough for a critical piece of infrastructure.

NZTA say they have taken extensive mitigation steps, but a few warning signs and lowering the river level at which the bridge closes doesn’t solve the fundamental problem. In fact, the lower 4m closure point will increase the number of closures further disrupting residents, businesses, and visitors.

We’ve got work to do, but the message is clear: we need to make a strong case, and we will.

www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361043032/no-plans-replace-unsafe-and-not-fit-purpose-martinborough-bridge

09/07/2026

The Martinborough community has long called for the Waihenga Bridge on SH53 to be replaced. It is unsafe and not fit for purpose.

In light of increasingly frequent severe weather events, I have written to NZTA to again request they review their position on the bridge.

I have deliberately not written to the Minister. This isn’t a political fight, and I would welcome other MPs and parties making the same request (if they haven’t done so already).

The case is pretty clear in my mind, NZTA should commit to replacing the bridge.

09/07/2026

Happy Matariki everyone. The sun is shining at last. Bridges and most of our roads are open. A huge thanks to our roading crews and all the support folk who have worked tirelessly over the last few days. There’s still a lot of work to do, but they’re getting on to it.

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

06/07/2026

Hoping everyone is keeping a careful watch on the weather situation. The South Wairarapa Council have already issued a number of advisories through the Antenno App and on their website. The website also has current river levels for the Ruamahanga which is slowly rising again unfortunately. Keep an eye on that for when the Waihenga Bridge into Martinborough may need to be closed again.

01/07/2026

See important message below:

29/06/2026

This afternoon’s reconnaissance flight: Lots of slips, particularly on rural land and along the White Rock and Cape Palliser Roads. While receding, still considerable surface flooding East of the Ruamahunga across to the Moana and spillway. Many thanks to the roading teams who are working very hard to get the Turanganui Bridge open and the emergency management team who remain in touch with remote isolated communities and were able to get a welfare flight in there.