Councils committed to a collaborative approach to local government reform

At a meeting of the Otago Mayoral Forum on Friday, the Mayors of Waitaki, Dunedin, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, the Deputy Mayor of Clutha, and Chair of the Otago Regional Council agreed to work together on local government reform.

Otago Mayoral Forum chair Melanie Tavendale says “Significant change is coming for councils across New Zealand as the Government has announced its requirements to simplify local government. Councils and communities have an opportunity to shape this reform by getting involved in the process.”

Councils will be looking at the best outcomes and progressing work within a timeframe that keeps the door open to the option of Government’s recently announced Head Start pathway.

“It’s important our communities have a voice and people are given the opportunity to have a say on reform locally, so a community survey is being launched this week asking people across Otago to share their views. Analysis of this will help to support decision making.”

The focus of feedback is on seeking local views, but looking beyond regional boundaries is a possibility.

The Mayoral Forum committed to being open to exploring cross-boundary considerations to achieve the best outcomes through the reform process and will be reaching out to neighbouring districts to test a willingness to work together in coming weeks. The important role of mana whenua and Otago’s communities in conversations about reform were also acknowledged.  

The Forum asked for work to progress within a timeframe that ensures the Head Start pathway is an option – with proposals due by 9 August.

The community survey is open from Wednesday 27 May until Sunday 14 June. People can give their feedback at www.otagomayors.org.nz.

BACKGROUND

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.

The starting point for the government’s reform is creating a unitary authority within Otago. The Government has also said it will consider more than one unitary authority in a region where the region is large and has more complex issues.

Working together through the Mayoral Forum does not mean a one-size-fits-all outcome. Each district has its own communities, geography and priorities, and there will be opportunities for district-level engagement alongside the regional process. The regional process is designed to generate shared analysis and options. The decisions remain with each local council.