Information on proposed Local Government amalgamation

The Head Start Pathway allows two or more Councils to propose amalgamation into a unitary authority. These proposals can include other Councils for amalgamation, whether they agree with the proposal or not.

A unitary authority is one which has the responsibilities of existing District Councils, and also the responsibilities of Regional Councils.

The deadline for proposals is 9 August 2026.

Cabinet will approve these proposals in September 2026, and legislation will be introduced in 2027 to allow for amalgamation to take place in time for the 2028 Local Elections.

Councils who do not make a proposal by 9 August, are not included in other proposals, or have their proposals rejected will enter the “back stop” system.

The back stop involves the Government amalgamating existing Councils into unitary authorities after the 2028 Local Elections. This process will be developed by the Government in 2027.

• Regional Councils will be abolished at the 2028 Local Elections

   

• Simplifying Local Government will result a smaller number of larger unitary authorities, there is no option for status quo

   

• The government proposes that Regional Unitary Councils is the starting point, unless there are good reasons not to have a Regional Unitary Council

   

• These unitary authorities will have the existing District or City Council responsibilities, and responsibilities of Regional Councils

   

• Councils who take the Head Start Pathway will be amalgamated by the 2028 Local Elections

   

• Councils in the back stop will be amalgamated after the 2028 Local Government Elections

• The Mayor is in discussion with neighbouring and regional Mayors about these reforms

   

• The Mayor and Councillors will be determining what Waitaki would seek from any proposals or future amalgamation, and whether to enter the Head Start Pathway or back stop arrangements

   

• The short deadline for the Head Start Pathway means a lot of work has to be done very quickly. Council may not have all the information needed for a fully informed consultation but believe it is still imperative we find a way to involve our community in this discussion. Council is still establishing what this looks like.

   

The Government has stated it wants less councils and wants to see unitary councils covering larger areas than the current district and city councils and that Regional Councils will be abolished. 

The Government have announced two pathways for Council to choose – Head Start or the backstop. Both lead Waitaki District Council toward amalgamation with other councils into a unitary authority.

A unitary authority is one which has all of the responsibilities of existing District or City Councils, as well as the responsibilities of the current Regional Councils. It will mean that within the boundaries of the unitary authority all local government services and powers are part of one local government authority.

Head Start is a 3-month deadline to propose amalgamation of all Councils within a region, or a number of Councils within a region, or a number of Councils across regional boundaries.

Proposals for amalgamation must be made by two or more Councils, and can include Councils who are not involved in developing the proposal.

The government will approve Head Start proposals in September 2026.

Proposals have to be made by two or more Councils and involve amalgamation into a Unitary Authority. If a proposal is made by a majority of Councils in a region to amalgamate, the minority Councils will be included – even if they are not making the proposal and dont agree with it.

Proposals must set out how to consolidate regional transport functions, propose how to address the new planning, compliance and enforcement system, and explain how effective river catchment management can be maintained.

Councils who do not make a proposal, are not part of other Councils’ approved proposal, or have their proposal turned down will be amalgamated after the 2028 Local Elections. The Government will set out how this will happen in 2027.

These reforms will end Regional Councils, District Councils and City Councils if implemented according to the policy document.

They will be replaced with a smaller number of unitary authorities. These may be based on existing regional boundaries, or multiple unitary authorities could be set up within an existing region.

These reforms are additional work for Council, but they will not materially change anything about Council until 2028.

We still have to agree and deliver our Annual Plan 2026-27, that is legally required under the Local Government Act 2002.

We will still have to plan to develop our Long Term Plan 2027-37, that is legally required under the Local Government Act 2002.

We still have to set up Southern Waters and deliver our Water Services Delivery Plan to the Department of Internal Affairs.

We still have to continue with the parts of our Proposed District Plan that the RMA Minister has approved to proceed.

We will still continue providing the agreed services and infrastructure projects until the new arrangements are agreed and in place.

The proposals are due in by 9 August 2026. The Government has said they will approve proposals in September 2026. This is before the general election.

Council is well aware that a change of Government can involve a rapid change of direction regarding reforms – Three Waters to Affordable Water to Local Water Done Well is the most obvious example of that.

However, Council must engage in good faith with the proposed reforms – as the announcement this week places the responsibility for amalgamation proposals on Councils now, if they wish to take the Head Start pathway.