Amalgamation ultimatum: Councils clash over their future

The future of councils will soon fall into the Government's hands after a last-minute scramble for merger deals.

In May, the Government gave councils three months to pitch a Head Start plan for creating larger unitary councils, or have one forced on them under the Back Stop process.

While some council deals proved straightforward, other councils struggled to reach a consensus as Sunday's 9 August deadline approached.

Local Democracy rounds up the decisions and divisions across the country.

Northland

Northland could see a single unitary council governing the whole region, but Kaipara is not happy.

The Whangārei and Far North district councils and Northland Regional Council want a two-stage pathway toward amalgamating.

That proposal would initially create two unitary authorities, with Kaipara merged into a southern council alongside Whangārei, and a second northern council covering the Far North.

Both would eventually become a single unitary authority.

But Kaipara District Council rejected the idea and has accused neighbouring councils of riding roughshod over its opposition to the plan.

Kaipara's deputy mayor remarked the reforms had "driven a wedge between Northland's councils".

The council is putting in its own independent regional proposal for three unitary authorities - even though this doesn't meet the Government's criteria.

Waikato - King Country

Hamilton City Council faces the Back Stop process after voting against submitting a proposal.

Meanwhile, a proposed Eastern Waikato bloc council say they've "bent over backwards" to tick the Government's boxes for amalgamation.

Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils want a single unitary authority, dubbed Waihou-Piako-Coromandel Unitary Authority.

South Waikato, Waipa and Waikato District want a western Waikato 'river to the sea' authority which includes Hamilton City and Taupō. The first three have formally proposed this, with the latter two councils going into Back Stop.

Taupō mayor John Funnell has vehemently opposed the proposal, saying the three councils see Taupō as a "cash cow" to aid their own financial needs, the Waikato Times reported.

Waitomo District Council and Ōtorohanga District Council have agreed to submit a plan together.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga City Council has been rejected by its proposed amalgamation partner, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

However, Tauranga councillors agreed to push ahead with a proposal - without its neighbour's support.

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the city would join other Bay of Plenty councils in proposing to create three new subregional unitary authorities: Eastern Bay (Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki); Western Bay (Tauranga and Western Bay); and Rotorua.

Ōpōtiki, Kawerau and Whakatāne councils have agreed on an Eastern Bay unitary authority, but some weren't thrilled with being forced into the decision. The Kawerau mayor likened the amalgamation orders to being threatened with a bat.

Rotorua

Rotorua Lakes Council has voted against both reform options, leaving their future uncertain.

Councillors on Friday voted against submitting a Head Start application alongside Tauranga City Council, and against taking the Back Stop process.

Mayor Tania Tapsell had urged councillors to back Head Start.

"Head Start is now. Back Stop will be Government-led," she said.

Whanganui - Manawatū

Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council agreed to submit a plan to become the foundation members of a new sub-regional council.

The plan will be sent as a letter to the Local Government Minister in place of a Head Start proposal.

Palmerston North will add that it believes Manawatū and Tararua districts should join the group in the southern half of the Horizons region, even though both have rejected the idea of such an amalgamation.

Tararua and Manawatū don't plan to submit Head Start proposals.

Manawatū Mayor Michael Ford and Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore issued a statement following Palmerston North City Council's decision.

"Every council has the right to advocate for its preferred future, but communities should have a say in their own future before being included in another council's proposal," Gilmore said.

Whanganui, Rangitīkei, and Ruapehu district councils have pushed back against submitting an amalgamation plan, leaving the Government to potentially decide their fate.

Taranaki

South Taranaki and Stratford councils have agreed on a Head Start merger proposal but rejected the invitation to join with New Plymouth.

Although left without a partner, New Plymouth District Council voted to send the Government a 'Pathway Proposal' anyway, to meet the deadline.

The proposal suggests three options to reform Taranaki councils and is submitted jointly with Taranaki Regional Council (TRC), despite regional councils being excluded from Head Start.

Hawke's Bay - Tairāwhiti

Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay are looking at a unitary authority but each council wants to protect its local voice. The details of how this would work are still being discussed.

Wairoa decided not to participate in the Head Start process - and doesn't want to be part of a Hawke's Bay unitary council.

Instead, the council will investigate becoming a single unitary authority, combining district council and regional council functions.

Gisborne is already a unitary council.

Wellington

On Friday afternoon, Wellington and Wairarapa mayors agreed to put two different amalgamation proposals to ministers by Sunday.

In a joint statement, the mayors said a region-wide (Wellington-Wairarapa) council is supported by Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua and South Wairarapa District Councils.

Masterton and Carterton district councils supported a Wairarapa Unitary Authority proposal.

Upper Hutt councillors have pulled out of any amalgamation plans and will not attach their names to a Wellington-Wairarapa proposal.

The Kāpiti Coast wants its own standalone authority.

Top of the South

Nelson and Tasman are not participating in the Head Start process, but weren't explicitly included as they're both already unitary councils.

Nelson's mayor has been courting Tasman for a merger, but the Tasman council wasn't interested.

Marlborough and Kaikōura

In one of the more straightforward plans, Kaikōura will likely be absorbed into Marlborough's unitary council under the Head Start process.

Canterbury

Christchurch City Council voted to keep its current city boundaries for a new unitary authority.

Mayor Phil Mauger wanted a greater Christchurch metro option that included Rangiora, Rolleston and other towns, but failed to gain a majority support.

Hurunui District Council and Waimakariri District Council agreed to submit a proposal for a North Canterbury unitary council.

But Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon left the door open for future arrangements with its neighbours, including shared services.

''We are very open to including Christchurch and Selwyn in our proposal, as long as it doesn't compromise our case.''

He emphasised he was not seeking a Greater Christchurch council, but offered to assist those councils in their bids to go it alone.

A proposed South Canterbury council would see Timaru, Mackenzie, Waimate and Waitaki district councils work together on amalgamation.

Ashburton has voted to go in the Back Stop after councillors were divided on the best merger deal.

Meanwhile, Selwyn has backed a standalone council, refusing to combine with any of its neighbours.

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum was meeting on Saturday in a last-ditch attempt to present a united Canterbury voice to the Government.

West Coast

Westland and Grey district councils voted unanimously to submit a joint proposal for Head Start, while the Buller District Council could not agree and therefore remains outside the joint proposal.

The West Coast plan for one council will be submitted regardless, with the West Coast Regional Council backing the proposal.

Otago

Queenstown Lakes District Council plans to work with Dunedin City Council to support a twin model for Otago: An Inland Otago Unitary Authority and a Coastal Otago Unitary Authority.

Under the plan, Queenstown Lakes (QLDC) and Central Otago districts would form the Inland authority, while Dunedin, Clutha and potentially Waitaki districts would form a Coastal authority.

In a joint statement, Clutha and Central Otago District (CODC) councils said they were disappointed by the decision.

The councils had planned a deal with Clutha, Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes councils.

"The Head Start proposal that captures the 'mountains to the sea' - including CODC, QLDC and ourselves - is well thought out and has merit," Clutha Mayor Jock Martin said.

Southland

The region is unique as it's running two amalgamation investigations at the same time.

A Local Government Commission review is already underway looking into two options - one Southland-wide unitary council to govern the region, or two unitary councils - with both options incorporating local boards.

The region hosted a flurry of meetings this week, with Gore District Council deciding on Tuesday to keep its options open towards Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council.

The district council voted to lodge a two-council Head Start proposal at a Wednesday meeting, followed by Invercargill City Council backing a single-council proposal at a Thursday meeting.

What next?

Councils must submit their plan by Sunday.

Government officials will then assess the proposals based on a number of criteria, including whether it is realistic and delivers better value to ratepayers.

Approved plans will be signed off in 2027, with the Back Stop process finalised in the same year.

Changes are expected to take effect from the 2028 local elections.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.