Waitaki chooses preferred option for local government reform following
Published on 07 July 2026
Waitaki District Council has voted to pursue a submission to the Government’s Head Start pathway and develop a proposal for a new unitary council with neighbouring districts.
At an extraordinary meeting today, Councillors agreed the Head Start pathway gives Waitaki the best opportunity to help shape its future, rather than waiting for decisions to be made through the Government’s backstop process.
Council’s preferred option is a new unitary authority including Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru and Waitaki. Council will also keep the door open for Ashburton, Clutha and Central Otago district councils if they choose to join the proposal.
The decision follows community engagement across the district, including 350 responses from Waitaki residents to the Otago Mayoral Forum survey, four public meetings in Ōtemātātā, Palmerston, Ngāpara and Ōamaru and a follow-up survey for meeting attendees and the wider community which attracted 312 submissions.
Key themes from the consultation included keeping the Waitaki River catchment together, protecting local identity and working with councils that share similar communities, geography and infrastructure challenges.
Mayor Mel Tavendale said the decision was about giving Waitaki a stronger voice in a reform process that will reshape local government.
“We have consistently made the case for local government reform. The system needs to change so it is more affordable and serves communities better and the Government’s Head Start is the opportunity to do this. By choosing to submit a Head Start proposal, Waitaki is choosing to be at the table, to protect what matters to our communities and to work with neighbours who understand our shared challenges and opportunities,” Mayor Tavendale said.
“This is not the final decision on this matter. But today sets a direction for the future of our area, our communities, our economy and the management of our environment. There is a lot of detail to be worked through and what we resolved today included a clear commitment to keep our communities informed and engaged in the process so we can get this right and have a better system of local government that serves us well in the decades to come.”
Head Start proposals are due to the Government by Monday 9 August 2026. Cabinet is expected to decide in September which proposals will proceed to detailed design, with legislation expected in 2027 and successful amalgamations in place for the 2028 local elections.
Council will now work with neighbouring councils to develop an outline proposal and will keep the community updated as options are refined and submitted to the Government.