But at yesterday's community consultation meeting to talk about merging the Otago and Southland district health boards, the public response was muted.
Just seven people were at the meeting: Otago board chairman Errol Millar and chief executive Brian Rousseau; Aspiring Medical Practice manager Sally Battson; Central Otago Health representatives Jim Nelson and Ainsley Webb; and two journalists.
The lack of Wanaka attendance at the health meeting was unusual.
It was probably because Dunstan Hospital services were not at stake and the governance merger was less controversial.
The only people who attended board meetings now were from the media, Mr Rousseau said.
Messrs Rousseau and Millar outlined reasons for and against a merger, and answered questions.
The regions have a combined population of about 300,000: about 189,000 in Otago and 110,000 in Southland.
Regional allegiances are strong and there are fears of unequal representation in a united board.
Other disadvantages included increased travel costs for board members, differences in organisational culture and approach, and uncertainty for staff, who may fear losing jobs.
If public response warrants a merger, the boards will inform the Minister of Health, Tony Ryall, in February.
Mr Ryall will implement the change, which could occur as soon as April.
Alternatively, it could occur during local body elections in October, Mr Millar said.
What does it mean for the Upper Clutha population? Will there be big changes for Wanaka patients? Will Dunstan Hospital receive funding for patients who wish to transfer from Frankton Hospital?
The answers were, respectively: "Not much," "Not really," and "Yes."
Upper Clutha primary health care would continue as normal, Mr Rousseau confirmed, except patients could choose to go to Invercargill instead of Clyde or Dunedin for hospital treatment.
However, he would be cautious about changing referral patterns.
Would more funding for primary health services come Wanaka's way, given the resort's projected population increase to 14,500 permanent residents by 2026?
Mr Millar said the Otago board had yet to work out how funds would be distributed in the future, but they would be directed where services were needed.
Mr Millar was emphatic an integrated board should not be stacked with managers to cope with a bigger geographical area.
"Let's make sure if we do finish up merging that we don't expand," he said.
