Mrs Staples questioned why the ageing population was being given as a reason for amalgamation.
"I believe this is being used to manipulate the argument for the super-city and I can't see how it stacks up. We are all ageing, it's a global phenomenon, it's not just Wairarapa. In 2043 our median age is expected to be 50.9 - now that's hardly a reason to be booking a cemetery plot."
The ratings act did not allow councils to differentiate based on age, she said. "The only reason I can see that a super-city would be helpful for an ageing population would be if there were savings to be had, and so far I haven't been able to find the savings that the super-city is supposed to deliver."
She said the work done by the Wairarapa councils towards a unitary authority had been largely ignored, despite the extensive research and consultation undertaken.
"We didn't just stick our fingers in the air and say 'a unitary authority sounds like good fun'."
South Wairarapa District Council chief executive Paul Crimp said the commission's choice of per capita figures rather than per rateable unit and the overstatement of the costs to integrate Wairarapa's IT systems, meant the report was flawed.
When asked by commissioner Anne Carter what the cost of amalgamating the three Wairarapa councils might be, Mr Crimp estimated it might be in the vicinity of $8 million, not including the amount needed to incorporate the regional council's functions.
The commissioner also asked what the rating impact of a unitary authority might be. Mr Crimp said that it would be the role of the unitary authority to set finance and revenue policies.
"Without having a look at the new entity's finance and revenue policies we can't pin down the winners and losers ... we do know that on balance South Wairarapa's capital value is greater than Masterton and Carterton for example, and we rate on land-based so there will be a significant change and you'll have winners and losers - but the key thing is we are not collecting more money, we will be collecting the same money from different people."
Mrs Staples said that in this regard, the unitary authority was similar to the super-city proposal, which has also not confirmed how rates might change.
When questioned as to the potential deficit caused by taking on the regional council's role, Mr Crimp said whatever the exact figure was, it would be "eminently manageable".
"There are ways of managing projects to cut your cloth to meet your finances. I've had a look and I really think it's a perfectly solvable thing, within the rates increases that we all unfortunately have to bear."
Addressing the commissioners on behalf of the Carterton District Council, mayor John Booth said he was disappointed by the lack of communication from the commission.
"We feel a real disappointment that there's been so little interaction between the commission and the council on such an important project for the region."
If there had been more interaction, a better outcome or proposal might have been put forward, Mr Booth said.
"As a community we are open to change and innovation but it has to fit a rural provincial parameter. There is no silver bullet here, but we feel there is an opportunity here to work with the commission and the other councils of the region for change and innovation ... but we are not there yet, so we support the status quo until this can be achieved."
It was important for the commission to realise that real people would be affected by any changes made to local governance, Mr Booth said. "Please remember this is not just about money and fiscal responsibility, there is a human side to what is being proposed and discussed here.
"The social fabric of our society is paramount, please let's not lose sight of that."
Commissioner Janie Annear asked the council to address how transport might be managed under a unitary authority.
Carterton chief executive Colin Wright said they had spoken to other councils and Wellington City and Hutt City in particular were happy to work together with a Wairarapa council on issues of common interest such as transport.
"They would be very happy to work with the Wairarapa council and arrive at something that would work for the various parties." Whether that would be managed as a council-controlled organisation or another model was yet to be determined, he said. However there was more at stake than just transport, Mr Wright said.
"To me you don't design local government systems around railway lines, there's a lot more to it than that."
The hearings continue at the Carterton Events Centre today before heading to Masterton tomorrow. The South Wairarapa Maori Standing Committee and the Martinborough Community Board are expected to speak at the Carterton hearings this morning.
Speakers scheduled to be heard in Masterton tomorrow include Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa-Tamaki Nui a Rua Trust at 9am, Better Wairarapa and Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce at 9.45am, Federated Farmers Wairarapa at 10.15am and the Masterton District Council at 12pm.
