18 proposals have been submitted to the Government as part of the Head Start local government reform initiative, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d like to thank the councils that have invested time and effort in developing these proposals,\u201d Mr Bishop says. <\/p>\n
\u201cHead Start was set up because many local councils told us there was a desire to get on with simplifying and streamlining local government in light of the government\u2019s wider planning reforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cLocal government reform has failed in the past because doing nothing is always an easy option, and change is difficult. Local government leaders themselves told the government they realised local government had to change, and they wanted the opportunity to shape that change.<\/p>\n
“The Head Start pathway gave councils the opportunity to put forward their own reorganisation ideas and consider how local government can be better organised to deliver for their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
“This approach is about backing local leadership and supporting councils that are ready to lead change in their region,\u201d Mr Watts says. <\/p>\n
\u201cOfficials will now assess the proposals received and provide advice to Ministers. Cabinet will consider the proposals to progress to the detailed design phase in September.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing the detailed design phase, Cabinet will make final decisions on which proposals proceed to implementation through bespoke legislation ahead of the 2028 local government elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe acknowledge that in some parts of the country, more than one proposal has been submitted. Each of those proposals will be assessed on their own merits against the agreed criteria before Cabinet makes decisions on next steps.<\/p>\n
“The Government is also continuing to consider arrangements for areas that do not progress through Head Start. Decisions on the backstop process will be informed by lessons from the Head Start pathway, consultation feedback and further advice from officials.<\/p>\n
“We’ll have more to say about the proposals once Cabinet has had the opportunity to consider them.”<\/p>\n
Notes to the editor: <\/p>\n
The Head Start submission period closed on 9 August 2026
\nProposals were submitted in support by: <\/p>\n
Northland: Whangarei District Council, Far North District Council
\nBay of Plenty – Tauranga City Council
\nBay of Plenty: Kawerau District Council, \u014cp\u014dtiki District Council, Whakat\u0101ne District Council
\nWaikato: Waitomo District Council, \u014ctorohanga District Council,
\nWaikato: Matamata-Piako District Council, Hauraki District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council
\nWaikato: Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council, South Waikato District Council
\nHawke’s Bay: Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council
\nTaranaki: Stratford District Council, South Taranaki District Council
\nWellington: Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, South Wairarapa District Council, Wellington City Council
\nWellington: Masterton District Council, Carterton District Council
\nCanterbury: Hurunui District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Christchurch City Council, Selwyn District Council
\nCanterbury: Mackenzie District Council, Timaru District Council, Waimate District Council, Waitaki District Council
\nMarlborough-Kaik\u014dura: Marlborough District Council, Kaik\u014dura District Council
\nWest Coast: Grey District Council, Westland District Council
\nOtago: Central Otago District Council, Clutha District Council
\nOtago: Dunedin City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council
\nSouthland: Invercargill City Council, Gore District Council
\nSouthland: Southland District Council, Gore District Council <\/p>\n
Head Start is a voluntary pathway that allows groups of councils to propose the creation of new unitary authorities ahead of wider local government reform following the 2028 local elections.<\/p>\n
More information on Head start Linked here<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
18 proposals have been submitted to the Government as p 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