The Government is giving local councils a three-month window to develop proposals for amalgamation, as it works to “simplify and strengthen” the local government system.
Ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts announced the fast-tracked timeline for the local government reform programme on May 5, as they introduced the “Head Start pathway”. The voluntary process gives councils a chance to propose their own plans for restructure or amalgamation within their regions.
The Government has indicated a clear preference for creating unitary authorities, which combine the functions of regional and city or district councils.
Under the new pathway, groups of councils can submit proposals to cover all or some of their regions. Regional councils are not eligible to submit proposals, although they are allowed to contribute to their development.
Any councils which do not take part in this pathway will instead face compulsory reorganisation by the Government.
The Waikato Mayoral Forum had already been exploring the possibilities of restructuring, following the Government’s initial announcements about reform within the sector in November last year.
The forum’s chair, Hamilton City Council Mayor Tim Macindoe, said in a May 1 press release that it had developed a four-stage programme to facilitate this process. That programme was due to be discussed at Hamilton City Council’s May 7 meeting: however, Mayor Macindoe withdrew the item from the agenda, saying the council needed time to consider the implications of the latest announcement.
While Thames-Coromandel Mayor Peter Revell said his council was supportive of the reforms, he wanted to ensure the community could still contribute to any potential proposals. The matter will be discussed at his council’s next meeting on May 26.
“This [is] a very tight timeframe for the people of the Coromandel to contribute to this conversation,” he said.
“We have to be completely open and transparent through this process.”
Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams said conversations within his council were underway, but would not be drawn on details. However, the council said it will share information with the community as it becomes available.
Waikato Regional Council chair Warren Maher said his council favours a single unitary authority in the region, and wants to work with the Waikato Mayoral Forum to develop the option.
“Our council has always said change is needed in local government and now there’s a pathway to join forces to do so,” Maher said.
“We’re focused on how we can operate at the right scale while improving efficiency and strengthening service delivery.”
Successful Head Start proposals are expected to be finalised by 2027, with changes implemented ahead of the 2028 local elections.
