An attempt to convince the Local Government Commission that Wairarapa should govern itself has failed with news yesterday the plan is to incorporate the district in a new Wellington super-city.
The commission has released its decision, calling for public submissions on its draft proposal, with a deadline of March 2 next year.
The super-city proposal would take over the functions of the existing nine local bodies: Masterton District Council, Carterton District Council, South Wairarapa District Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, and the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
A single mayor would be elected at large and 21 councillors - two from Wairarapa - would make up the governing body responsible for high-level decisions affecting all of Wellington.
Local boards would be set up in all districts, a Wairarapa board having 10 members controlling council budgets and making decisions on lesser Wairarapa matters.