Simplifying Local Government Reform

What is Simplifying Local Government?

The New Zealand Government is proposing changes to make local government simpler, more efficient and easier for communities to understand.

At present, local government in New Zealand includes district and city councils, regional councils, and unitary authorities. District and city councils are generally responsible for local services such as roads, libraries, parks, waste and water services and local planning, while regional councils focus on environmental management, regulation and public transport. Unitary authorities carry out both roles.

The Government considers the current structure can be complex, costly and sometimes unclear, particularly in places where both territorial and regional councils operate side by side. It has said wider reform is intended to create a more streamlined model with clearer roles and a stronger focus on core services and infrastructure.

What is being proposed?

The Government originally consulted on a proposal that would replace regional councillors with a region’s mayors and require those mayors to develop plans for more effective and efficient delivery of council services across a region. After consultation, the Government refined its approach and has now decided on a staged approach. This includes a voluntary Head Start pathway for councils that are willing and able to reorganise quickly, followed by wider reform after the 2028 local elections for councils that do not move through the earlier process.

What is the Head Start pathway?

The Head Start pathway was announced on 5 May 2026 as a streamlined, voluntary option for councils that want to progress local government reorganisation now, rather than waiting for wider nationwide reform.

Under this pathway, territorial and/or unitary authorities can work together to develop outline proposals for new unitary authorities. These proposals can cover all or part of a region and may include the formation of one, or a small number of, new unitary authorities.

Instead of preparing a broader regional reorganisation plan, councils using Head Start submit an outline proposal focused on structural change. The deadline for proposals is 9 August 2026, with the Government indicating it will decide by September 2026 which proposals should move on to detailed design, before final decisions are made in 2027.

The Government has said councils that do not progress through Head Start will remain on current arrangements for now, but wider reform is expected after the 2028 local elections through a separate backstop process which will be mandated by central government. This runs the risk of our own destiny not being in our hands.

Why is this happening?

Consultation on the original proposal attracted more than 1,150 submissions, including submissions from councils, sector organisations and iwi/Māori organisations. Submitters generally agreed there was a need for reform but raised concerns about the original model and asked for more flexibility for locally led change.

The Government says the revised staged approach is intended to allow faster progress in places where there is momentum for change, while giving other councils more time to focus on other major reforms, including the new planning system. It has said the combined Head Start and backstop approach is intended to provide greater clarity and certainty for councils and communities.

What this means for the Stratford District

Stratford District Council has agreed to take part in the Government’s Head Start pathway following an Extraordinary Council meeting on 26 May 2026.

This means Stratford District Council will work with other Taranaki councils on a coordinated regional approach to explore possible future local government arrangements. Taking part gives Stratford a strong voice in shaping what future local government arrangements could look like across the region.

Importantly, this decision does not commit Stratford District Council to any future amalgamation, shared service arrangement or structural change. Council has said the decision is about being involved from the outset in shaping a proposal that reflects local needs, protects local representation and ensures the community’s interests are part of the conversation.

You can read our media release here

Have your say

Stratford District Council’s current decision is to take part in the process so the district can help shape any future proposal for the region. Council wants to hear community views as this work develops, so keep an eye out for more information about how you can have your say.

What happens next?

For now, councils that choose to participate in Head Start are working on high-level proposals for how local government could be organised in future. Any proposal would still need to be considered by central government before it could proceed.

The Government’s timeframe for Head Start is tight, with outline proposals due by 9 August 2026.

Timeline

• Outline proposal submitted to the Government 9 August 2026
• Cabinet decision made on outline proposals September 2026
• If outline proposal accepted - enter detailed design phase October 2026 - March 2027
• Detailed proposal submitted to the Government March 2027
• Cabinet decision made on detailed proposals May 2027
• If approved, detailed proposal implemented prior to October 2028 Local Body Elections
• If detailed proposal not accepted Government mandated 'Backstop' starts prior to October 2028 Local Body Elections

More Information

You can read the Government’s official information on the Department of Internal Affairs website here.

Frequently Asked Questions