May 10, 2026 • 7 mins
The Wellington Amalgamation could grow into eight councils instead of the previously expected "tight" four.
Nick speaks to Porirua Mayor Anita Baker, who is very strongly for the amalgamation.
Mayor Baker shares her preferences for amalgmation and addresses concerns that Porirua rates are among the highest in the country.
She says people are hesitant as jobs may go, but she "doesn't care" if her job goes if it means amalgamation for the betterment of the city.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Said b Anita Baker is part of You Do a
Mayor and good morning Anita. Thanks for taking Thanks for
taking time. What was your take of the conversation on
Friday with all the mayors.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Well, I thought it was interesting. I think we've all
wear our eyes open. He's open them and I'm forcing
hen as far as I'm concerned them forty else.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Okay, go further afield. What did you think? I mean,
I don't know whether this has been conversation, none of
the media is picked up on it or not, but
I mean Andrew Little said that why Rapper were holding
hands in trying to talk at least talk about it.
I didn't think he's going to say it was going
to happen, but they were talking about it, and cup
of tea and Horror for and Her were talking as well.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yes, absolutely, I think we're be stupid not to have
the conversation. We all want to get government funds like
Auckland and christ Church you've got and to do that,
we need to be a region. We need to be
smart and work together.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
So I mean, do you think it could happen.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Absolutely, it can happen. We can make it happen.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, what do you think was more likely to happen
the four, the Type four or the mighty eight?
Speaker 3 (01:21):
I think Nighty eight was two bid last time, but
the four ready to go. And even if you did both,
one on each side and then you joined in with transport,
I think we're all eager to go forward and make
this happen for our communities.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
How did you mean the sides keep going? Are you
talking about that Kapadi and Horfaneur would join force it
with the wirerapper. I didn't quite understand that.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Oh, no, with the wire wrapper over their way and
us over this way. You know, if you had two
sides going at once, if you did the wire wrapper
going for their side and we go over here, it
could work either way. But I think at the moment,
the momentum is there to have the good conversation and
people are up for it.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Were you surprised that the people were up for the
conversation though, me as we're at least talking about it.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
No, I think it's been coming. We've been talking about
it for a number of years now, so it's really
pleasing and of course at the hut in Puttuo. I
had the referendum questions so we can talk about it.
So we do know that people are keen and with
water going over on this side, what are council's going
to be doing. We've got rima reforms, We're going to
be different things, so we don't need four mayors and
(02:30):
four CEOs. We can bring it down to a different
level and have more community involvement in councils.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Do you think that did you'll get Cappity over the
line or not.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Oh, I don't know. I think she's probably got to
get her residence over the line. But you know you
could do it in stages, so you could do four
now and some later.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Is there any justification for you guys getting blamed for
your high rates.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
I think there's justification all the time. I mean we've
always never had enough in Puttitero. We don't have any businesses,
no port, airport, so we've only got our household owners
to look after our rates. And you know other mayors
have built the Tareppa Arena for example, they didn't do infrastructure,
then they did buildings, so you can only spend what
(03:15):
the residents are actually paying you. So it's tight and
we just don't get enough money.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
So if this amalgamation doesn't go through, like the four
or the eight, to say, let's stick to the four.
That amalgamation doesn't go go through because you know, we
know that upper Heart, aren't that keen? If it doesn't
go through, where does where does that leave pottyd.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Well It leaves all of us. At the moment, we've
got a big trip problem with rubbish and recycling. We
all need a new tip in the region. We're all
doing it individually, then we should be doing it as one.
We are just one very small site the size of
christ Church, smaller than christ Church. We're all doing water together,
we're doing other infrastructure together. You know, we've got potty
or a park here, you've got the pool and lower Hearts.
(03:56):
So we do things across the region rather than looking
at individual cities. Think of this as a region. If
Wellington doesn't thrive, the regions don't thrive. So we need
to work as one and become one.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
It sounds pretty damn exciting to me. Why are some
people dragging their heels?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
I think some people want to keep their jobs probably,
and to me, I don't care if I lose my job,
I want what's right for the region. You won't get
cheaper rates into the first ten years, it'll take ten
years to change rates, but you will get better services.
You know. At the moment we all do different builing, dogs, buildings, everything,
we should all be the same. I can be in
(04:35):
the Wellington City within five minutes of putty to a
border and I can be in the hut in ten
and fifteen, So you know we're not smart about what
we're doing.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
And now with transmission Gully. To be fair, you can
be in a cup of tea as well, can't you.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Oh fifteen minutes I'm in roal meaty shopping. Yeah, it's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Do you think they're trying to be a bit elitist?
Speaker 1 (04:55):
No?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Who know, they've got some fabulous places up there.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Oh no, I'm saying that. They said they're able to
join the rest of us because they think they're better
than us. Up there.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
They're probably just lots of old politicians and it'll be
had to do.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Gosh, So your gut feeling telling you is this going
to go ahead? Will it be the type for?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I think it's time to do the type for I
do think it's time. And I think our residents asking
for change. You know, they're sick of what we're doing
in the sense that they think we're doing it badly
and it is time for change and to do things differently.
Don't be scared of change, you know, making change is
good and I always see something positive out of change,
so I think we.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Can do it better talking about something positive. I was
in Potty Dour yesterday helping my son set up for
the Saints game in the morning. I didn't actually make
it to the game because I had work to do
for the show, but I helped them set up in
the morning for a little bit and I walked in
the back door of Tara and Arena and I thought
of one person, and I had a bit of an
emotional thought, Willie Trema. I mean, if it wasn't for
(05:56):
that man, that stadium would never have been built. You
and I both know, well, I hopefully, I mean we
agree on that.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
You know, yeah, we totally agree. And I was at
the game last night. It was awesome. Pot was alive
and kicking yesterday with the Phoenix and the Saints and
of course the Pulse on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
How good? And you know what. You know what also, Anita,
and my heir is on the back of my head's
raising when I'm going to say this. The weather out
there was tremendous. The weather felt really good. It was
a beautiful day in pori Rue.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
It was beautiful. There were people from all rounds. It
was nearly six thousand, a pottydoor park. And then as
you know, at the basketball last night, the Pulp, the Phoenix.
Sorry basketball, yes, Saints had been Sorry. I've done three
sports and I exhausted over two days because the buzz
is just so great in the city. So thank you
for bringing the Saints out.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Nothing to do with me, It was my son, but
I mean, I just I still I cannot go into
that stadium without playing my respects to to Willie Terrema,
because for those listeners, he lost his life a few
years ago, but he was just tunnel Vision wanted that stadium.
He wanted a stadium in Porru and by hook or
by Crookey, you got a stadium and it is a magnificent,
(07:10):
magnificent stadium. Thank you, Anita, lovely to talk to you again.
Keep up the good work, keep pushing, keep trying.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Bye.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Anita Baker their mayor of Potide.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Said b Anita Baker is part of You Do a
Mayor and good morning Anita. Thanks for taking Thanks for
taking time. What was your take of the conversation on
Friday with all the mayors.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Well, I thought it was interesting. I think we've all
wear our eyes open. He's open them and I'm forcing
hen as far as I'm concerned them forty else.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Okay, go further afield. What did you think? I mean,
I don't know whether this has been conversation, none of
the media is picked up on it or not, but
I mean Andrew Little said that why Rapper were holding
hands in trying to talk at least talk about it.
I didn't think he's going to say it was going
to happen, but they were talking about it, and cup
of tea and Horror for and Her were talking as well.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yes, absolutely, I think we're be stupid not to have
the conversation. We all want to get government funds like
Auckland and christ Church you've got and to do that,
we need to be a region. We need to be
smart and work together.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
So I mean, do you think it could happen.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Absolutely, it can happen. We can make it happen.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, what do you think was more likely to happen
the four, the Type four or the mighty eight?
Speaker 3 (01:21):
I think Nighty eight was two bid last time, but
the four ready to go. And even if you did both,
one on each side and then you joined in with transport,
I think we're all eager to go forward and make
this happen for our communities.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
How did you mean the sides keep going? Are you
talking about that Kapadi and Horfaneur would join force it
with the wirerapper. I didn't quite understand that.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Oh, no, with the wire wrapper over their way and
us over this way. You know, if you had two
sides going at once, if you did the wire wrapper
going for their side and we go over here, it
could work either way. But I think at the moment,
the momentum is there to have the good conversation and
people are up for it.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Were you surprised that the people were up for the
conversation though, me as we're at least talking about it.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
No, I think it's been coming. We've been talking about
it for a number of years now, so it's really
pleasing and of course at the hut in Puttuo. I
had the referendum questions so we can talk about it.
So we do know that people are keen and with
water going over on this side, what are council's going
to be doing. We've got rima reforms, We're going to
be different things, so we don't need four mayors and
(02:30):
four CEOs. We can bring it down to a different
level and have more community involvement in councils.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Do you think that did you'll get Cappity over the
line or not.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Oh, I don't know. I think she's probably got to
get her residence over the line. But you know you
could do it in stages, so you could do four
now and some later.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Is there any justification for you guys getting blamed for
your high rates.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
I think there's justification all the time. I mean we've
always never had enough in Puttitero. We don't have any businesses,
no port, airport, so we've only got our household owners
to look after our rates. And you know other mayors
have built the Tareppa Arena for example, they didn't do infrastructure,
then they did buildings, so you can only spend what
(03:15):
the residents are actually paying you. So it's tight and
we just don't get enough money.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
So if this amalgamation doesn't go through, like the four
or the eight, to say, let's stick to the four.
That amalgamation doesn't go go through because you know, we
know that upper Heart, aren't that keen? If it doesn't
go through, where does where does that leave pottyd.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Well It leaves all of us. At the moment, we've
got a big trip problem with rubbish and recycling. We
all need a new tip in the region. We're all
doing it individually, then we should be doing it as one.
We are just one very small site the size of
christ Church, smaller than christ Church. We're all doing water together,
we're doing other infrastructure together. You know, we've got potty
or a park here, you've got the pool and lower Hearts.
(03:56):
So we do things across the region rather than looking
at individual cities. Think of this as a region. If
Wellington doesn't thrive, the regions don't thrive. So we need
to work as one and become one.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
It sounds pretty damn exciting to me. Why are some
people dragging their heels?
Speaker 3 (04:14):
I think some people want to keep their jobs probably,
and to me, I don't care if I lose my job,
I want what's right for the region. You won't get
cheaper rates into the first ten years, it'll take ten
years to change rates, but you will get better services.
You know. At the moment we all do different builing, dogs, buildings, everything,
we should all be the same. I can be in
(04:35):
the Wellington City within five minutes of putty to a
border and I can be in the hut in ten
and fifteen, So you know we're not smart about what
we're doing.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
And now with transmission Gully. To be fair, you can
be in a cup of tea as well, can't you.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Oh fifteen minutes I'm in roal meaty shopping. Yeah, it's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Do you think they're trying to be a bit elitist?
Speaker 1 (04:55):
No?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Who know, they've got some fabulous places up there.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Oh no, I'm saying that. They said they're able to
join the rest of us because they think they're better
than us. Up there.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
They're probably just lots of old politicians and it'll be
had to do.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Gosh, So your gut feeling telling you is this going
to go ahead? Will it be the type for?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I think it's time to do the type for I
do think it's time. And I think our residents asking
for change. You know, they're sick of what we're doing
in the sense that they think we're doing it badly
and it is time for change and to do things differently.
Don't be scared of change, you know, making change is
good and I always see something positive out of change,
so I think we.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Can do it better talking about something positive. I was
in Potty Dour yesterday helping my son set up for
the Saints game in the morning. I didn't actually make
it to the game because I had work to do
for the show, but I helped them set up in
the morning for a little bit and I walked in
the back door of Tara and Arena and I thought
of one person, and I had a bit of an
emotional thought, Willie Trema. I mean, if it wasn't for
(05:56):
that man, that stadium would never have been built. You
and I both know, well, I hopefully, I mean we
agree on that.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
You know, yeah, we totally agree. And I was at
the game last night. It was awesome. Pot was alive
and kicking yesterday with the Phoenix and the Saints and
of course the Pulse on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
How good? And you know what. You know what also, Anita,
and my heir is on the back of my head's
raising when I'm going to say this. The weather out
there was tremendous. The weather felt really good. It was
a beautiful day in pori Rue.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
It was beautiful. There were people from all rounds. It
was nearly six thousand, a pottydoor park. And then as
you know, at the basketball last night, the Pulp, the Phoenix.
Sorry basketball, yes, Saints had been Sorry. I've done three
sports and I exhausted over two days because the buzz
is just so great in the city. So thank you
for bringing the Saints out.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Nothing to do with me, It was my son, but
I mean, I just I still I cannot go into
that stadium without playing my respects to to Willie Terrema,
because for those listeners, he lost his life a few
years ago, but he was just tunnel Vision wanted that stadium.
He wanted a stadium in Porru and by hook or
by Crookey, you got a stadium and it is a magnificent,
(07:10):
magnificent stadium. Thank you, Anita, lovely to talk to you again.
Keep up the good work, keep pushing, keep trying.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Bye.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Anita Baker their mayor of Potide.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news talks It'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Bleep! with Ana Navarro
Fear thrives in silence and confusion. Ana Navarro rejects both. Her voice is an antidote to today’s chaos. Her new podcast, Bleep! with Ana Navarro, takes on today’s most pressing issues with the voices most connected to it: decision-makers, political leaders, cultural shapers, and people on the frontlines of the story. The conversations acknowledge the emotions we all feel—despair, sadness, fear— but emerge with knowledge, perspective, and hope. The belief is simple: fearless dialogue can transform fear into courage, and courage into change. When fear dominates the headlines, this show digs deeper. Because information, debate, and conversation don’t just ease fear, they give us power to shape the future.
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.