Local Government Reform - Head Start

Group of people silhouetted against a bright hazy sky.

Simplifying Local Government - Have your say

What's been announced?

On 5 May 2026, the government announced the Head Start pathway for Simplifying Local Government - a streamlined, voluntary pathway for councils willing and able to reorganise before the wider reform of local government from 2028.

How is local government currently structured?

Most places in New Zealand have two separate councils – a regional council, and a city or district council (sometimes called ‘territorial authorities’). Each have a separate set of elected councillors who look after separate (but often similar) things.

There are 11 regional councils (in our region that is Environment Canterbury) that govern services such as environmental management, regional transport planning and Civil Defence.

There are 67 city or district councils that govern services such as roads, water infrastructure, rubbish collection, libraries, parks, and land use planning. There are six ‘unitary authorities’ that combine the two roles. Examples of these include: Gisbourne, Tasman, Marlborough, and Auckland Council.

Why is reform being proposed?

The government says the reason for this proposal is to simplify governance and reduce duplication. These changes will better align to wider reforms such as planning, infrastructure and water. It also says regional decision making will be more aligned across councils, with clear accountability to the public.

What reorganisation is the government proposing for all councils?

The government focus is on structural reform. This means councils can propose new unitary authorities that combine regional and territorial council functions.

Proposals for new unitary authorities do not need to cover an entire region. They may also involve neighbouring territorial authorities from different regions.

Officials will assess outline proposals against clear criteria, including deliverability by the 2028 local elections, support for the new planning system, simplified governance, economies of scale, and fair and effective local representation.

The Head Start Policy document and cabinet paper materials are in the link in the Documents section of this page.

What does this mean for Mackenzie ?

Change is going to happen. The Government has advised that if Territorial Authorities do not deliver a proposal for reorganisation within the timeframe (August 2026) those Councils will be put into a ‘Backstop” process, where decisions about reorganisation will be made by Government.

Our focus is on ensuring that any change that happens here in the Mackenzie reflects our community and our district. As your local council, we are asking you what should be protected, improved, or avoided.

This is an early conversation. No decisions have yet been made. Our council has indicated they in principle support engaging in the Head Start pathway, which is optional. By taking part, we have more control over the changes that will take place in 2028.

If we choose not to take part, it will follow the Backstop pathway in 2027 which runs the risk of our own destiny not being in our hands.

We are currently exploring potential partner councils, and identifying what must be protected locally.

What matters most for Mackenzie ?

  • Local representation and a rural/regional voice?
  • Affordability and cost transparency?
  • Service quality, responsiveness and reliability?
  • Infrastructure investment?
  • Environmental and catchment outcomes?
  • Treaty partnership?

What are your thoughts?

Possible options for Mackenzie

  • Participate in the Head Start pathway
  • Wait and try to influence a later reform - the Backstop pathway

Potential partners for Mackenzie

  • Timaru (existing shared services and working on a Joint Water Service Organisation)
  • Waimate
  • Ashburton
  • Waitaiki District
  • Other districts or parts of districts (this has been allowed for in Government’s approach).

When is the proposal due to the government?

By August 9 this year, outline proposals from councils (including Mackenzie District Council) for new unitary authorities are due, and final policy decisions on detailed proposals will be established early next year.

Wider reform of local government will commence after the 2028 local elections.

Further discussions, including public meetings, are being planned and will take place When further discussions with potential partners have been sufficiently progressed to draft an initial outline proposal.

Have your say

Sunday 21 June 2026, 5pm.

Simplifying Local Government - Have your say

What's been announced?

On 5 May 2026, the government announced the Head Start pathway for Simplifying Local Government - a streamlined, voluntary pathway for councils willing and able to reorganise before the wider reform of local government from 2028.

How is local government currently structured?

Most places in New Zealand have two separate councils – a regional council, and a city or district council (sometimes called ‘territorial authorities’). Each have a separate set of elected councillors who look after separate (but often similar) things.

There are 11 regional councils (in our region that is Environment Canterbury) that govern services such as environmental management, regional transport planning and Civil Defence.

There are 67 city or district councils that govern services such as roads, water infrastructure, rubbish collection, libraries, parks, and land use planning. There are six ‘unitary authorities’ that combine the two roles. Examples of these include: Gisbourne, Tasman, Marlborough, and Auckland Council.

Why is reform being proposed?

The government says the reason for this proposal is to simplify governance and reduce duplication. These changes will better align to wider reforms such as planning, infrastructure and water. It also says regional decision making will be more aligned across councils, with clear accountability to the public.

What reorganisation is the government proposing for all councils?

The government focus is on structural reform. This means councils can propose new unitary authorities that combine regional and territorial council functions.

Proposals for new unitary authorities do not need to cover an entire region. They may also involve neighbouring territorial authorities from different regions.

Officials will assess outline proposals against clear criteria, including deliverability by the 2028 local elections, support for the new planning system, simplified governance, economies of scale, and fair and effective local representation.

The Head Start Policy document and cabinet paper materials are in the link in the Documents section of this page.

What does this mean for Mackenzie ?

Change is going to happen. The Government has advised that if Territorial Authorities do not deliver a proposal for reorganisation within the timeframe (August 2026) those Councils will be put into a ‘Backstop” process, where decisions about reorganisation will be made by Government.

Our focus is on ensuring that any change that happens here in the Mackenzie reflects our community and our district. As your local council, we are asking you what should be protected, improved, or avoided.

This is an early conversation. No decisions have yet been made. Our council has indicated they in principle support engaging in the Head Start pathway, which is optional. By taking part, we have more control over the changes that will take place in 2028.

If we choose not to take part, it will follow the Backstop pathway in 2027 which runs the risk of our own destiny not being in our hands.

We are currently exploring potential partner councils, and identifying what must be protected locally.

What matters most for Mackenzie ?

  • Local representation and a rural/regional voice?
  • Affordability and cost transparency?
  • Service quality, responsiveness and reliability?
  • Infrastructure investment?
  • Environmental and catchment outcomes?
  • Treaty partnership?

What are your thoughts?

Possible options for Mackenzie

  • Participate in the Head Start pathway
  • Wait and try to influence a later reform - the Backstop pathway

Potential partners for Mackenzie

  • Timaru (existing shared services and working on a Joint Water Service Organisation)
  • Waimate
  • Ashburton
  • Waitaiki District
  • Other districts or parts of districts (this has been allowed for in Government’s approach).

When is the proposal due to the government?

By August 9 this year, outline proposals from councils (including Mackenzie District Council) for new unitary authorities are due, and final policy decisions on detailed proposals will be established early next year.

Wider reform of local government will commence after the 2028 local elections.

Further discussions, including public meetings, are being planned and will take place When further discussions with potential partners have been sufficiently progressed to draft an initial outline proposal.

Have your say

Sunday 21 June 2026, 5pm.

Page last updated: 29 May 2026, 03:13 PM