"Miramar to Masterton" was too far for real local democracy, says Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
She said the decision of the LGC to withdraw their recommendations for a single "uber-council" reflected the views of the vast majority.
"I've consistently said that Miramar to Masterton was too far for effective local democracy. The proposed two-tier system model separated the decision-making from the citizens of the region. Local boards were rightly regarded as toothless.
"The decision of the Local Government Commission opens the way for a more pragmatic solution that keeps the people close to the decision-making process while offering some streamlining of the current structure. The region's councils already collaborate on emergency management, water and economic development.
"We can still work with other councils in the region to achieve a simpler, more streamlined approach.
