The case for Wellington City amalgamation

Opinion:

Peter Petterson

Lower Hutt city

The case for amalgamation: There is a media generated belief that Wellington City has a population of 400;000 similar to Christchurch. It is actually barely more than half. They polled the region a few years back to establish support for a larger amalgamated city – but it was totally rejected by the Hutt Valley,about 140.000 and Porirua /Kapiti Coast round 50,000 – 60,000.

Lower Hutt, about 95,000 and Upper Hutt about 45000 and a combined population of 140,000 should in my opinion amalgamate. Wellington has never positively supported the Hutt Valley. Only petty parochialism has prevented this in the past. Both cities are growing and support each other on a day to day basis.

Porirua may be sympathetic to an amalgamation with Wellington, but I doubt if the Kapiti coast would be interested. Perhaps amalgamation northwards? Porirua may be sympathetic to an amalgamation with Wellington, but I doubt if the Kapiti coast would be interested. Perhaps amalgamation northwards?