Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki District Councils have each released a shortlist of potential options for amalgamation under the Simplifying Local Government Head Start pathway.
Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) has released three potential options, including: a Greater Waikato district; a Northern Bay of Plenty district; or an East Waikato district. These were whittled down from nine initial options.
Option one, the Greater Waikato, would bring together all 10 councils currently in the Waikato Regional Council area. While it aligns with the government’s preference for a single regional unitary authority, it is a large area and could pose challenges in balancing rural and urban needs.
The second option would see TCDC join forces with Tauranga City, Western Bay of Plenty, and a portion of Hauraki District – all of which have similar coastal communities and interests. However, it would be more complex to set up, and would involve the fragmentation of some catchments across boundaries, council said.
A third option would involve TCDC merging with Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, and South Waikato districts. The four councils align well with catchments and have an existing history of collaboration, but would not be large enough to manage regional functions such as roading or planning on its own.
The potential options were chosen using a weighted system measuring them against the government’s listed criteria for proposals.
This includes keeping local voices strong, providing better value for ratepayers, providing less bureaucracy and clearer decisions, allowing better planning for the future, and making change practical and achievable.
The council is now seeking further feedback on the shortlisted options, until July 15. Thames-Coromandel Mayor Peter Revell said he was pleased with the public response to the council’s initial engagement survey, which garnered more than 500 responses.
“It was really interesting the things that came through from that… Two things that really topped the list [was] that whatever we do, it needs to make financial sense for ratepayers,” he said.
“The second thing was… people making sure their voices don’t get lost.”
Mayor Revell said the three shortlisted options were all viable, with the region having links to both the “green pastures” of the Waikato, and the “blue waters” of the Bay of Plenty.
“We’ve got a lot of analytical work to do… so that we can be absolutely sure that whichever option we end up going with, it absolutely does meet the government’s requirements.”
The council will decide which option to support for a Head Start proposal at its July 28 meeting. Proposals must be submitted to the government by August 9.
The document outlining the shortlist noted other councils may put forth proposals that include TCDC even if it is not TCDC’s preferred option.
Meanwhile, Hauraki District Council’s (HDC’s) survey on amalgamation options is due to close on July 3. It has received nearly 500 responses as of June 22.
HDC is also proposing three potential options: an Eastern Waikato unitary authority; a provincial unitary authority; or a Waikato-wide unitary authority.
The Eastern Waikato option would see Hauraki District merge with Matamata-Piako, South Waikato, and TCDC. Under a provincial unitary authority, Hauraki would merge with Matamata-Piako, South Waikato, Thames-Coromandel, Taupō, Waipā, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo Districts, while a Waikato-wide unitary authority would see all of the Waikato’s councils come together as a single entity.
Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams said the responses so far have indicated the public would prefer an Eastern catchment approach.
“That gives us a clear signal on which way we should be looking,” he said.
“We’re still going to get those facts and data, so we can clearly understand what that means.”
Both mayors urged the public to engage with their respective surveys, to ensure their voice would be heard.
DETAILS
TCDC: www.tcdc.govt.nz/localgovernmentreforms, until July 15.
HDC: letstalk.hauraki-dc.govt.nz/head-start, until July 3.
