The following is a joint media release from the Rangitīkei, Whanganui,  Manawatū, Tararua and Ruapehu District Councils.

---

On Friday, five councils from across the Manawatū-Whanganui region committed to move forward together on a locally led regional work programme in response to the Government's Simplifying Local Government reforms.

The participating councils – Rangitīkei, Tararua, Manawatū, Ruapehu and Whanganui district councils have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a collaborative programme of work.

The programme will build a shared evidence base, test regional and sub-regional options, and better understand the opportunities and challenges facing local government across the region before any council determines its future direction.

The participating councils have agreed to progress the work while leaving the opportunity open for other councils to join in the future.

Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said the participating councils were demonstrating responsible leadership.

"This is simply responsible local government. Before anyone reaches conclusions about what reform might look like, we owe it to our communities and to the region to properly understand the issues, test the options and make decisions based on evidence. If we're going to have this conversation, let's make sure we're having it well."

Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore said working together would ensure every participating council was better informed.

"The challenges facing local government won't disappear on their own. Every district has its own identity and priorities, but many of the pressures we face are shared. Working together gives us a better understanding of the opportunities while ensuring local communities remain at the heart of future decisions."

---

Photo shows the mayors of the five districts standing outside the Beehive, each holding a copy of the MOU.

---

Manawatū Mayor Michael Ford said councils across the region are at different stages in considering what the future of local government could look like, and some have progressed their thinking on alternative models further than others.

"Manawatū District Council has done a significant amount of work in this space. We’ve identified models we believe have real potential to strengthen regional collaboration while retaining local representation, decision-making and accountability but we haven’t closed the door on other options. We remain open-minded about what the best model might ultimately be.

"What’s important now is that we keep the momentum going. There is an opportunity for councils to take a lead, continue the discussions and properly test the different options available to us. We shouldn’t wait for change to be designed for us if we can work together to help shape what good reform could look like for our region.”

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said the participating councils had chosen to lead and be proactive rather than wait.

"Communities expect leadership. Rather than waiting to see where reform may lead, we're choosing to work constructively, collaboratively and proactively with our regional neighbours to continue to build the evidence and understand what delivers the best long-term outcomes for the people we serve. That's simply good governance."

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton said the programme recognised that every council brought different perspectives to the table.

"Every district has its own circumstances, relationships and aspirations. This process gives us the opportunity to understand where our interests align, where they differ, and to work respectfully through those issues before any council considers its next steps."

The Memorandum of Understanding makes clear that participation does not commit any council to a preferred governance model or future structure. Instead, it provides a disciplined framework to test options, understand the benefits and trade-offs, and ensure any future decisions are informed by evidence and local priorities.

The Memorandum also expressly provides for other councils to join the MOU at any stage should they choose to do so.

Horizons Regional Council has provided a letter of support for the Memorandum.

The participating Mayors said that while not all councils in the region have signed the MOU, regional collaboration through the Mayoral Forum will continue on matters outside of the Government's Simplifying Local Government reforms.  They also remain open to councils who are not currently signatories, signing at any time. They also noted that every council had its own priorities, communities and decision-making processes.

"Our responsibility is to the communities we represent. That means getting on with the work, building a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges before us, and ensuring the future of our region is shaped by informed local leadership.”

"Our focus is on achieving the best long-term outcomes for the people of the Manawatū-Whanganui region - not just within individual council boundaries, but across the communities that make up our region."