What Regional Council ‘really’ does – Part 2

By Adrienne Staples, Regional Councillor for Wairarapa

In the August Star I posed the question what does the Regional Council ‘really’ do?

While some of the answers were obvious and known to most, there wasn’t room to cover off all the responsibilities of the Greater Wellington Regional Council. 

Council business is not exactly everyone’s cup of tea but the editor of The Star did feel that there was an opportunity for a sequel.

Sequels can be tricky things however, so I looked for inspiration from some of the more successful ones, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, before settling on the original Star Wars trilogy. 

Although possibly not as riveting as the movie series, some may draw parallels between it and the various forms of local government we have. The three Wairarapa councils being seen as ‘The Force’ caring for local interests, customs and ancient beliefs (the good guys) while the Regional Council fills the role of ‘The Death Star’ trying to be the Supreme Ruler with the biggest spaceship and more soldiers (the bad guys).

Actually, neither is anywhere near accurate as we have our own responsibilities under legislation and GWRC is not pushing any amalgamation debate but it does paint an amusing picture. Imagine our mayor as Luke Skywalker with councillors as Jedi knights. That would make the chair of GWRC Darth Vader and me a Storm Trooper. 

I will not even dare to guess who might be best suited for the roles of R2-D2 or 3-CPO but the role of the wise and ancient Yoda would surely be given to retired mayor of Masterton, Bob Francis, let the force be with him.

On the operational side, a Wairarapa train driver could take the part of Hans Solo. If you recall, Hans’s spacecraft was a bit dated and his hyperdrive didn’t always work when he needed it. Sound familiar?

Then who should be cast as the E-woks? Nature guardians on flying scooters with no environmental footprint although I’m not so sure about emissions. They were pretty fearless little fellows if I recall so maybe our pest control officers would be best suited to that role?

Lastly, what should we call our sequel? Local Councils Strike Back? Return of the Regional Council?

Sadly, it’s hard to imagine it as the box office hit that any of the original movies were and fortunately the chair of GWRC, Daran Ponter is as far away from the Darth Vader character as you could get.

As for me, I’m definitely the wrong shape for a Storm Trooper but possibly could pass for Chewbacca I think.