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Porirua City Council

Te Kaunihera o Porirua
Porirua coat of arms
Coat of arms
Porirua City Council brand logo
Brand logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
Established1 November 1989 (1989-11-01): 36 years ago
Preceded byPorirua City Council
New session started
18 October 2025
Leadership
Anita Baker[1], Ind.
since October 2019
Kylie Wihapi, Ind.
since October 2022
Wendy Walker
since October 2015
Structure
Seats11 (including mayor)
Graph of the party split among 11 seats.
Political groups
  •   Labour (2)
  •   Independent (8)
  •   vacant (1)
Length of term
3 years
Elections
Single transferable vote
First election
14 October 1989
Last election
11 October 2025
Next election
14 October 2028
Meeting place
16 Cobham Court
Website
poriruacity.govt.nz

Porirua City Council (abbr. PCC; Māori: Te Kaunihera o Porirua) is the territorial authority for the city of Porirua, New Zealand. It serves as the city's local government alongside the Greater Wellington Regional Council as the regional council.

A borough council for the area was initially formed in 1962. In 1965, the borough was granted city status. Following the 1989 reforms to local government, that city council was dissolved and the current authority was established under the same name.

The governing body of council has 11 councillors and is chaired by the mayor of Porirua (currently Anita Baker since October 2019).

History

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Predecessors

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Local government in the Porirua basin began on 1 June 1854 with the Porirua Road Board being declared in the Wellington Provincial Council Gazette.[2][3] Road boards were set up by the provincial governments to develop and maintain local and district roads.[4]

The first election for the Porirua Road District, held under the District Highways Act 1856, took place on 20 September 1856. On 7 November 1864, the Takapu Road District was declared and wardens for the district were elected annually. The Wellington Highway District Board (Hutt County) was given control of the district in 1872.[2]

In 1876, Makara and Porirua ridings were made part of the Karori-Makara Highway Board and elections were conducted.[2] Later that year, Porirua was established as one of six ridings making up Hutt County, which in turn was established by the Counties Act 1876 as one of 12 counties which would replace the Wellington Province.[5] It elected 2 councillors to the Hutt County Council.[6]

In 1908, Makara County, an amalgamation of the Porirua riding with the Makara riding and Tawa, was separated from Hutt County.[5][7] The first elections for Makara County were held on 28 January 1908.[2]

Following the construction of a new business district on the site of the village of Porirua beginning in the 1950s,[8][9] the autonomous Borough of Porirua was established on 1 September 1962, the day after Makara County was abolished.[2][10][11] The rest of what had been the Makara County was re-incorporated into Hutt County as the Makara Riding.[5] Tawa had already separated from the county to form its own Town Board in 1951.[2]

Porirua was declared to be a city on 2 October 1965 by Governor-general Sir Bernard Fergusson,[12][2][13] after reaching the population threshold of 20,000.

On 1 April 1973, the city of Porirua was expanded to include large areas to the north-east and some to the south, transferred from Hutt County, along with Mana Island.[14] In 1988, it was further expanded to include the Horokiri riding, which contained most of Whitby and large rural areas, before Hutt County was abolished in the 1989 local government reforms, which transferred to Wellington City most of the southern fringe areas that had been added in 1973 – notably the Takapu Valley and Arohata.[15][16]

A cadastral map showing the boundaries of Porirua city in 1969

Governing body

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The elected mayor and councillors provide governance for the city by setting the policy direction of the council, monitoring its performance, representing the city's interests, and employing the Chief Executive.

Mayor

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One mayor is elected at-large; they chair meetings of the governing body and act as the head of local government in the city.

Current composition

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The current members of the governing body of council are:[17][18]

Role Portrait Name Affiliation Ward
Mayor Anita Baker Independent Elected at-large
Deputy Kylie Wihapi Independent Parirua Māori
Councillor Geoff Hayward Labour Onepoto general
Councillor Hemi Fermanis Independent Onepoto general
Councillor Kathleen Filo Independent Onepoto general
Councillor Izzy Ford Independent Onepoto general
Councillor vacant[a] Onepoto general
Councillor Josh Trlin Labour Pāuatahanui general
Councillor Ross Leggett Independent Pāuatahanui general
Councillor Nathan Waddle Independent Pāuatahanui general
Councillor Moira Lawler Independent Pāuatahanui general

Committees

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Current committees of the Porirua City Council[20][21]
Committee Chairperson Deputy Chairperson Members
Council
Te Kaunihera o Porirua		 Mayor Baker Dpty Wihapi
  • All councillors
  • Taku Parai, Council Kaumātua (Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira)[b]
Te Puna Kōrero Cr Leggett Cr Trlin
  • Mayor Baker
  • All Councillors
  • Taku Parai
Audit and Risk Committee
Komiti Tātari me te Mōrea		 Warren Allen[c] Cr Waddle
  • Mayor Baker
  • Cr Duncan
  • Cr Filo
  • Cr Johnson
  • Cr Leggett
  • Cr Trlin
  • Felicity Caird[c]
Chief Executive’s Employment Committee
Komiti Whai Mahi a te Tumuaki		 Cr Duncan Mayor Baker
  • Cr Ford
  • Dpty Wihapi
  • Cr Leggett
  • Cr Waddle
  • Cr Johnson
  • Taku Parai
Dog Control Hearings Subcommittee
Komiti Iti mō Ngā Whakawātanga Whakahaere Kurī		 Mayor Baker
  • Cr Duncan
  • Dpty Wihapi
Porirua District Licensing Committee
Te Rōpū Tuku Raihana Waipiro o Porirua		 Dpty Wihapi Cr Duncan
  • Rachel Palu
  • Nicole Maloney
  • Saar Conen Rohen
  • Kevin Watson
  • Sandy Gill

Chief executive

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The Chief Executive is in charge of the administration of the council and employs all other council staff to achieve its strategic priorities.[22][20] The Chief Executive is currently Wendy Walker.[23]

Elections

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By-elections

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In June 2026, Onepoto councillor Mike Duncan died after having served on the council since 2016.[19][24] His death will trigger a by-election,[25] which will be held on 16 October 2026.[26][27]

List

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Council

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Mayoral

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Wards

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The 10 councillors are elected from three wards: Onepoto General Ward, Pāuatahanui General Ward, and Parirua Māori Ward.

Candidates standing in the general wards are elected by voters registered on the general electoral roll, while those standing in the Māori ward are elected by voters registered on the Māori electoral roll.[28]

Parirua Māori Ward

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The Parirua Māori Ward elects 1 councillor and covers the whole city of Porirua.

The Parirua Māori Ward was established following a council vote in May 2021, a representation review and an appeal to the Local Government Commission which upheld its establishment.[28][29][30] The Parirua Māori ward was first contested in the 2022 elections.[31]

In July 2024, the National-led coalition government passed the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024 which reinstated the requirement that councils must hold a referendum before establishing Māori wards or constituencies. In August 2024, the council voted unanimously to affirm their decision to establish the Māori constituency, thereby triggering a referendum on the constituency to be held alongside the 2025 local elections.[31][32] Porirua voters elected to retain the Māori ward.[33]

Onepoto General Ward

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The Onepoto General Ward elects 5 councillors and covers:[28][34]

Pāuatahanui General Ward

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The Pāuatahanui General Ward elects 4 councillors and covers:[28][34]

Civic symbols

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Coat of arms

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Porirua City was granted a Coat of Arms by the Earl Marshal of England on 1 December 1965. The city officially adopted the coat of arms via a bylaw on 27 November 1969.[35]

Coat of arms of Porirua
Crest
On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Lymphad proper Sail set Pennon flying Gules Flags flying Azure a Whale proper.
Escutcheon
Vert two Piles Barry wavy of ten Argent and Azure
Supporters
On the dexter side a Private Soldier of the 58th Regiment of Foot in the uniform of the early Nineteenth Century and on the sinister side a Māori Warrior both proper.
Motto
Mo Te Katoa Nga Mahi (All That is Done is For the Benefit of All)
Symbolism
The green of the shield represents the rural countryside when Porirua was first settled. The blue and white triangles (Piles) symbolise the two arms of Porirua Harbour. The whale and "lymphad" (sailing ship) represent whaling, which was an important early industry in the area, and the many ships that visited the harbour. The 58th Regiment of Foot spent time in the Porirua area in the nineteenth century, and the Māori warrior represents the long settlement of Māori in the area.

Flag

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Flag of Porirua

The city of Porirua first adopted a flag in 1978 following a competition for designs among local schools, with the winning design being submitted by John Mansfield of Papakowhai School. This flag consisted of a yellow cross on a green background with the coat of arms superimposed over it. After the 1989 local government reforms, the new Porirua City Council did not seek to continue use of this flag.[36]

The present flag of Porirua was adopted on 30 September 1998.[36] It has several blue stripes, and a green shape to symbolise the city's harbour and land. The canton optionally features the coat of arms.[37]

Notable council members

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Vacancy caused by the death of councillor Mike Duncan.[19]
  2. ↑ Non-voting member
  3. 1 2 External member

References

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  1. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). Electionz. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "NZ Elective Structures Since Colonisation". www.pcc.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "Proclamation". New Zealand Government Gazette (Province of Wellington). 1 (12): 66. 9 June 1854. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Walrond, Carl (11 March 2010). "Roads – Funding road construction". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "Hutt County Council". Archives Online. Wellington City Council. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "The Hutt County Council". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "7 EDW VII 1907 No 28 Makara County" (PDF). www.nzlii.org. New Zealand Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Maclean, Chris. "Wellington places – Porirua". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Maclean, Chris. "Wellington region – New growth and attitudes: 1940–1975". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Maclean, Chris. "The break-up of Hutt County". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Maclean, Chris. "Wellington region – Government". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "New City's Great Opportunity..."". The Evening Post. 2 October 1965. p. 22.
  13. ↑ McLintock, A. H. "Porirua". teara.govt.nz. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  14. ↑ "Boundaries of County of Hutt and City of Porirua Altered" (PDF). www.nzlii.org. New Zealand Gazette. pp. 79–82. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  15. ↑ "Porirua City Council Long-term Plan 2015–25 | Porirua – the local context" (PDF). storage.googleapis.com. Porirua City Council. p. 252. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  16. ↑ "Hutt County Abolition Order 1988" (PDF). www.nzlii.org. New Zealand Gazette. pp. 4519–4524. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  17. ↑ "2025 Triennial Elections declaration of results" (PDF). www.electionz.com. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  18. ↑ "Councillors". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  19. 1 2 "'Never far from a smile': Porirua councillor Mike Duncan remembered after sudden death". Stuff. 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  20. 1 2 "Local Governance Statement 2023" (PDF). storage.googleapis.com. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  21. ↑ "Council committees". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  22. ↑ "Governance – what your council does". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  23. ↑ "Our executive team". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  24. ↑ Gosavi, Janhavi (15 June 2026). "'As fit as a buck rat': Porirua councillor dies after morning workout". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  25. ↑ Wong, Justin (15 June 2026). "'He was a rock': Tributes flow for Porirua councillor Mike Duncan". The Post. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  26. ↑ Wong, Justin (30 June 2026). "Porirua by-election set for October 16". The Post. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Porirua City Council encourages voters to enrol ahead of by-election". RNZ. 30 June 2026. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  28. 1 2 3 4 "Wards Maps and Boundaries". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  29. ↑ "Determination of representation arrangements to apply for the election of the Porirua City Council to be held on 8 October 2022" (PDF). storage.googleapis.com. Local Government Commission. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  30. ↑ Williams, Katarina (19 August 2021). "Major changes in way Porirua City councillors are elected set for consultation". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Porirua to retain Māori ward and go to a poll". poriruacity.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  32. ↑ Murray, Anna (6 September 2024). "Māori wards deadline: Most councils stand firm, express frustration". 1News. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  33. ↑ Paewai, Pokere (21 October 2025). "Final results confirm axeing of more than half of Māori wards". RNZ. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  34. 1 2 "Two Council Wards" (PDF). storage.googleapis.com. Porirua City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  35. ↑ "Coat of Arms (Archived)". www.pcc.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  36. 1 2 "Porirua City Flags". www.pcc.govt.nz. Porirua City Council. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  37. ↑ "City of Porirua flag". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
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