News briefs – June
Views sought on the future of Wellington
Wellington’s Mayor Andrew Little is asking Wellingtonians to contribute their views on amalgamation, after the Government set a surprise deadline for councils around the country to come up with ideas to combine councils by 9 August - a 10-week timeframe.
The Government wants to reduce the number – currently 78 – of city, district, regional and unitary councils across the country ahead of introducing a new planning regime.
Groups of councils have been invited to submit proposals for how they might be joined up – if not, the Government has said it will “do it for you”. If agreed, changes would be put in place with the 2028 local body elections.
Little has expressed his frustration with the short deadline but in a speech to community groups and leaders in early June, has asked the public to engage.
A ‘Greater Wellington’ amalgamation could result in Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt, Porirua City coming together. Kāpiti and the Wairarapa councils are also options.
The mayor has asked communities to talk about the challenge and let the council know their thoughts at mayor@wcc.govt.nz
Playground makeover
The Freyberg Beach Play Area is scheduled to get a makeover.
The Wellington City Council is seeking community input by 21 June 2026 on two design options for the playground.
Both designs see all the current equipment removed, and replaced with one of two options for a climbing tower with slides, along with swings and new surfacing.
More info: https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/freyberg-playground-upgrade
New building for arts community
Toi Pōneke is moving to its new premises on the waterfront this month.
For around 20 years, Wellington’s artistic community has had access to a space in Abel Smith Street, supported by the Wellington City Council.
Now the facility is moving to 3 Market Lane.
The organisation says that while the new building is smaller than the previous premises, it is designed for multipurpose use, accommodating a variety of art forms.
“We’re confident this space will allow Toi Aro to continue fostering a vibrant and interconnected arts community.”
The centre provides fixed-term rental artist studios and arts offices, exhibition opportunities, brand new hireable spaces for creative sector use, artist residencies, public programmes, and a range of activities and events. Hireable spaces bookings open 10 June.
