This included the demographic challenges or the ageing population, physical environmental challenges such as climate change and economic challenges such as sustaining the rural economy.
Ms Wilde explained the significance of local boards, and under the model there would be one board for the whole Wairarapa which would be given many of the local responsibilities district councils have now.
She said under the Local Government Act boards would be allocated funding: "There is no way a local board can be allocated [funding] and then told 'there is no funding."
She said nobody could be sure how any changes would impact on rates.
"The fact is nobody can guarantee specifically what any ratepayer will have to pay."
Ms Wilde said both options may or may not include Wairarapa but "for Greater Wellington, Wairarapa is definitely part of the region".
Residents asked a variety of questions but mostly asked Ms Wilde to clarify points she had raised. One man asked how the irrigation project would be affected by the changes, and in the meantime.
Ms Wilde said they were still in early stages but would continue to run with it as Greater Wellington.
Another man asked if the cost of transport to Wellington could be reduced under a new form of local governance.
Ms Wilde said the train was already heavily subsidised and it was unlikely any further reductions could be made.
Another meeting was to be held at Masterton Town Hall last night.
Meanwhile, Wairarapa councils have already asked the community for feedback on their preferred option of a unitary authority, and a report by accountants Martin Jenkins on the viability of this will be released to the public on Thursday.
