What does the future of Waitaki look like to you?
Published on 27 May 2026
Community survey on Government proposals opens today - Wednesday 27 May
The future of Waitaki is up for discussion as Waitaki District Council launches a community feedback survey about the Government’s Simplifying Local Government reforms.
The survey, hosted at Let’s Talk Waitaki, considers the Waitaki District’s unique position in the South Island – being in both the Otago and Canterbury regions.
Since the Government announced they sought proposals for amalgamation by two or more Councils in, or across, regional boundaries – Mayor Mel Tavendale has been meeting with Otago Councils as Chair of the Otago Mayoral Forum, and with Councils in South Canterbury – including Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru and Ashburton.
Mayor Tavendale said: “When the Government announced this short-time frame to propose amalgamation or be amalgamated – I made it clear that there must be space for community voice.
“Since then, I’ve spoken with Otago Mayors, and our neighbours to the north to sound them out, but we cannot make a decision without hearing from you. I can’t stress this enough, no decision has been made, no proposal has been agreed to. This survey allows you to let us know what you think.”
The survey asks people how they feel about local government reform and the effect on their community, asks them to pick what is a priority for them, where they think the future of Waitaki lies, and offers the chance to give further written feedback.
The survey opens at 9am on Wednesday 28 May 2026 and closes Sunday 14 June 2026.
Paper copies will be available in the Waihemo Service Centre, the Oamaru Library and Service Centre and Council HQ or you can fill it in online here https://www.letstalk.waitaki.govt.nz/lets-talk-surveys/surveys/lets-talk-about-local-government-reform.
Background Information
In November 2025, the Government released a draft proposal for local government reform. All six Otago councils submitted feedback.
On 5 May 2026, the Government announced its intended policy. Two reform pathways were set out, including the ‘Head Start’ for which outline proposals are due by 9 August and the ‘Backstop’ pathway, which will be legislated in 2027 but does not have clear detail yet.
ENDS