After observing those with views one way or another for last five years with the sceptics, I believe full amalgamation should have been implemented in 1990, when it was effectively recommended by Local Government Commission at the time.

Since then both Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District councils have become heavily indebted through financial mismanagement during the last decade.

Many driving amalgamation have vested interests, not the best interests of the Western Bay of Plenty at heart.

Others have their eyes on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council pot of gold - the Tauranga Port shares.

Neither are valid reasons to drive amalgamation platforms. BOPRC will be in the loop also.
Yes, amalgamation on economy of scale premise could work but not with a bloated bureaucracy, less transparency and accountability - plus current bureaucrats and councillors driving their own hobby horses.

Unitary councils usually mean bigger capital debt and higher operating costs with the ability to hide debt.

Let's see whether Auckland's ‘super city' council continues to drop itself in the proverbial poo with debt predicted to spiral out of control from $8 billion to $20b in the next decade.

We need to learn from the mistakes made by others, then take the road that suits us.

R Paterson, Matapihi.