Super city council on the cards

The three Wairarapa councils would merge with Wellington councils to form one super council under the recommendation announced today by the Local Government Commission.

Labour MP Chris Hipkins and Hutt City councillor Campbell Barry revealed details on social media, ahead of the commission's announcement embargoed until noon.

Last year, Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils lodged an application to the commission, to create a unitary authority which would combine all three councils and take on the responsibility of the regional council.

Greater Wellington Regional Council lodged an application to create a "super city'' council to replace the region's nine existing councils. There were also 21 alternative applications.

The super city council would have one mayor, 20 councillors and eight local boards with a total of 60 members.

The draft recommendation is now open to public feedback, which closes on March 2, 2015.

Hearings will be held and the commission will decide whether to make a final recommendation.

If they do, the public can petition for a referendum if 10 per cent of voters in an affected area call for one.

Feedback can be made to submissions@lgc.govt.nz