Simplifying Local Government

The Government’s Simplifying Local Government work programme aims to reduce the number of councils across New Zealand through the creation of unitary authorities. The Government’s intention is for changes to take effect from 2028 onwards. Read more about the reform.

The Head Start pathway is a streamlined, voluntary option for councils that are ready to progress local government reorganisation now, rather than waiting for wider nationwide reform.

Under this pathway, councils can work together to develop outline proposals for new unitary authorities. This allows regions to have a larger say in what their future looks like.

Councils using the Head Start pathway were required to submit an outline proposal by 9 August 2026, for the Government to approve in principle. A full detailed proposal is then due in March 2027, after which the Government will make a final decision.

Councils that do not progress through the Head Start pathway or whose proposal is declined will be part of the Back Stop. They will then be part of Government mandated reforms after the 2028 local elections through a compulsory backstop process, which will be mandated by central government.

As a regional council, we cannot submit an outline proposal. However, regional councils may contribute to their development. We've done this through active participation in the Waikato Mayoral Forum and providing all the city and district councils in our rohe with the support they need to understand regional council functions and how these may be delivered in the future.

The city and district councils undertook surveys, providing communities with an opportunity to submit feedback on the proposals being considered.

We encourage you to continue speaking to your local city, district or regional councillor if you have questions or concerns.

Five criteria will be used to assess the proposals:

1. Deliverability: Proposals are realistic and demonstrate how new arrangements can be implemented in a timely manner.
2. Supports the new planning system: Shows clear support for implementing the new planning system – including progress on spatial and natural environment plan development – and avoids or minimises disruption to that work.
3. Simplifies local governance: Proposes more efficient regional governance arrangements, consolidating decision-making and improving alignment between a region’s councils.
4. Economies of scale: Supports regional strategic planning and effective delivery of key regional functions (such as transport and catchment management), and demonstrates responsible and affordable asset management, infrastructure investment, and service delivery.
5. Maintains local voice: Demonstrates fair and effective representation for communities of interest and how decisions will be made at the local level, balancing urban and rural interests.

If councils do not participate in the Government’s Head Start pathway, they will instead be subject to the Backstop process.

The Government has advised that councils not progressing through Head Start will continue operating under existing arrangements until after the 2028 local elections. Following that, the Government will determine future local government structures through a compulsory reorganisation process.

Further details regarding the Backstop process are still being developed.

It is intended that current regional councillors will stay on through to the end of the 2028 term to lead regional councils in their roles in the new planning system, particularly regional spatial plans. 

Regional councillors will not be elected at the 2028 local elections.

They will be replaced by an interim body, for example a board of mayors, Crown commissioners, or a hybrid model. The Government will confirm the exact model in 2027, when successful Head Start proposals are approved.

For regions that are part of the Back Stop process, wider government-mandated structural reforms will begin after the 2028 local body elections.

The final decision on the future structure of local government will be made by central government.

While councils can provide feedback, develop proposals and advocate for their communities, the Government will ultimately determine the future arrangements through legislation and any reorganisation process that follows.

For the foreseeable future it is business as usual, with all programmes, rules and services continuing as normal.

A unitary authority is a single council that combines the responsibilities of regional, and city or district councils. There are a number of unitary authorities already elsewhere in New Zealand. The nearest example to our region is Auckland Council.

The Government wants to see more unitary authorities created through this reform.

A territorial authority is a city or district council.

Territorial authorities cover smaller geographic areas and are responsible for:

• essential local services, such as roads, water supply, wastewater, rubbish collection, parking and public toilets
• community facilities, including libraries, parks, sports fields, pools and playgrounds
• developing and monitoring district plans for land use and subdivisions
• community health and safety, including animal control, building control and liquor licensing.

Hamilton City, and Waikato, Waipā, Ōtorohanga, Waitomo, Taupō, Rotorua Lakes, South Waikato, Matamata-Piako, Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel District councils are territorial authorities.

New Zealand currently has 11 regional councils, including Waikato Regional Council. Regional councils are responsible for functions that are best delivered at a regional scale, including:

• managing natural resources such as water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts
• planning regional transport and providing passenger transport services
• protecting and restoring indigenous biodiversity
• controlling harmful plant and animal pests
• providing flood protection and drainage schemes
• keeping water users safe
• responding to pollution incidents
• helping communities prepare for civil defence emergencies and coordinating responses when disasters occur.