Council to set first Simplifying Local Government directions

Published on 03 July 2026

Waitaki District Council will set the first directions for the Government’s Simplifying Local Government reforms at an Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday 7 July, following community consultation across the district.

Mayor Mel Tavendale and Councillors will consider whether Waitaki should pursue the voluntary Head Start pathway, which allows councils to develop proposals for new unitary authorities by 9 August, or continue under the Government’s later backstop process after the 2028 local elections.

Over the past six weeks, Council has received 350 Waitaki responses through the Otago Mayoral Forum survey, held four public meetings with one livestreamed, and received over 230 responses to a follow-up survey which opened alongside the public meetings.

Mayor Mel Tavendale said the decision was not about who gets what, but about how communities with shared interests could work together to create a new system of local government that works better for all communities. .

“We need to work towards an outcome that works for all of Waitaki. It’s not about grabbing assets, it’s about ensuring all councils, all communities get the best possible outcome.

“These reforms have short deadlines, so full detailed breakdowns of every option are not possible at this stage. However, submissions and public meetings have prompted constructive discussion about what is important to our communities including protecting the catchment of the entire Waitaki River, our communities of interest, local identity and what we share with neighbours to the north and south.

On Tuesday, Councillors and I will set key directions for officers, including whether Waitaki should join the Head Start pathway or remain in the backstop process, and what options should be developed. This will not be the final decision, but is a key step in setting the direction for the future of our district. We have heard from over 500 people and will continue the conversation with our communities as this work progresses.”

The Head Start pathway is a voluntary, streamlined process for councils that are ready to progress reorganisation now. It would require outline proposals for new unitary authorities to be submitted by 9 August.

The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting is available on Council’s website now. It sets out the Government’s Head Start pathway and the challenges Waitaki faces as the only Council in the South Island which is in two regions – Otago and Canterbury.

The Mayor and Council have worked with both the Otago Mayoral Forum and Canterbury Mayoral Forum, as it has an interest in both.

The agenda also provides analysis for seven options;

• Otago Region Unitary

• Coastal Otago Unitary

• Rural Otago Unitary

• South Canterbury and Waitaki Catchment (excluding Oamaru, Waihemo etc)

• South Canterbury and whole of Waitaki

• Mid/South Canterbury and Waitaki Catchment

• Mid/South Canterbury and whole of Waitaki

The agenda also includes the analysis of the two public engagement surveys which Council has undertaken in the past six weeks – the first as part of the Otago Mayoral Forum received 350 responses from Waitaki.

The Mayor and Councillors have been provided with the full comments and submissions from the Otago Mayoral Forum survey.

The second survey has run alongside the four public meetings held in the Waitaki District and had 151 responses when the report was created, although this has risen to around 230 submissions on Friday morning.

Submissions received by 5pm on Friday 3 July will be considered by the Mayor and Councillors before Tuesday’s meeting. Submissions received after that time will still be shared with elected members and used to inform more detailed work for future decision-making.

The Extraordinary Meeting of Council will take place at Council Chambers on Tuesday 7 July from 9am.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz

Information on Simplifying Local Government

Future Waitaki consult site