Tick tock, tick tock. Apparently the clock is already running – we have been given a deadline (not far away) and an ultimatum from our lord Bish Bash Bosh the Mulleteer, that Wellington is going to face certain amalgamation, and either we do it ourself pronto, or the Bishop will do it for us. Cos, apparently the existing system is not working.
There’s a simple answer, and right off the back I would go to that: Wellington, the Hutts (both Upper and Jabba) and the Porirua should all unite as one.
Wairarapa should combine Featherston, Cartertown, Geytown, and Masterton with Martinborough and maybe even Eketahuna, to become another larger organisation, but I don’t think that we should really have them join us down here.
So far, so easy. The real question comes when we consider the Kapiti Coast. Does Pukerua feel part of Wellington, or further north? Def part of us. Does Paekakariki feel part of Wellington? Absolutely, yes, thats us too. What about Paraparaumu? Yes, that too. Waikanae? That feels more like it is the edge, but it is still us. Levin? No way. Levin and those north should partner up with Palmerston and other flat-landers and swamp-dwellers.
But perhaps we need something more sophisticated and advanced rather than just a fish pontificating (you know that the mark of the Pontif is that of a Fish, don’t you?).
Maps. We need maps. We need natural boundaries. Existing boundaries. All the boundaries. Maori boundaries. Pakeha boundaries. Flying bird boundaries. Electoral boundaries. Water boundaries. Sewerage collection boundaries. Yuck. Mountains! Streams! Lakes! Harbours !!!
OK – I’ll go research some boundaries, while you have a chat. In the mean time, here is our Mayor, A Little.
I think we should claim the upper South Island and put a toll on the cook straight.
Fear makes for strange bedfellows. Kapiti of course, is not a single entity – southern Kapiti is afraid of Otaki, and G*d only knows what Wellington would make of it.
You’re absolutely right there !! Otaki is a stronghold for a couple of iwi and has a proudly Maori wananga, whereas Paraparaumu seems to be a place for predominantly retired Pakeha suburbanites. The common factor is the great Kapiti weather up the coast, and that everyone up the coast seems to be there because they want to escape away from Wellington.