Meeting
Otago Mayoral Forum - July 2026
03 July 2026
The Forum's July meeting in Ōamaru focussed on Local Government reform. The Forum discussed region-wide information prepared and received to date, including the results of community engagement, the Forum's Otago Working Principles, Morrison Low's technical analysis, and mana whenua perspectives.
Forum highlights
Simplifying Local Government
- The Forum heard from Hemi Smiler, General Manager Reform and Deals at the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
- Justin Tipa shared reflections from a Ngāi Tahu perspective on the reorganisation process ahead.
- Alice Grace and Stuart Cross of Morrison Low presented their analysis of local government reorganisation options for Otago.
- A facilitated workshop tested four reorganisation options, drawing on the community engagement findings, Morrison Low's analysis, the Otago Working Principles agreed on 19 June, and perspectives from mana whenua.
- While no preferred option was determined, the workshop showed increasing alignment on the principles and outcomes that should underpin future governance. These include catchment-based environmental protection, strong local voice and representation, and giving enduring effect to Treaty partnership commitments.
- Members will now take the collective analysis back to their individual councils to consider through July, ahead of further Forum discussion.
Next meeting
- The Forum will next meet on Friday 31 July in Cromwell (to be confirmed).
Minutes
- Signed minutes for this meeting will be included in the papers for the Forum's next meeting.
