Tararua District Council has unanimously decided not to submit an amalgamation proposal through Central Government’s “Head Start” process, following feedback from the Tararua community and further investigation by the Mayor, CE and Council officers.

Central Government’s “Head Start” pathway allows councils to propose amalgamation or joining with other councils to form one larger, or unitary council, by 9 August. This unitary council would combine the functions of district/city and regional councils. The Tararua District was among the first councils in New Zealand to ask its community for views on amalgamation. From 18-27 May, Council held nine community meetings, with more than 550 people in attendance. There were 421 people that shared their views through written and online feedback. Council also met with iwi partners and rural stakeholders.

During these engagements, the message was clear according to Mayor Gilmore;

“The community told us to fight for a better option. They support change, but they don’t believe that simply making councils bigger will magically solve the challenges facing local government.”

According to Mayor Gilmore:

“Participating in Head Start carries significant risk. There is no evidence that simply bolting existing councils together automatically creates a better system of local government. It may create larger organisations, but bigger isn’t necessarily better. If the underlying structural problems remain, all we’ve really done is build a bigger bureaucracy that’s harder to change and further removed from the communities it serves.”

During the community engagements people also told Council that retaining local representation, local decision-making and Tararua’s identity mattered.

That feedback helped shape Council’s decision last month to investigate the options further, challenge the Government’s proposed timeframe, and advocate for a better approach rather than immediately committing the Tararua District to a particular model.  Since then, the Mayor, Chief Executive and Council officers have undertaken further work, including discussions with neighbouring councils and Government, financial analysis and consideration of the risks and opportunities for the Tararua District.

That work has reinforced the concerns already raised by the community.

At it’s meeting today, Tararua District Council determined that there is currently not enough information, certainty, or agreement between councils to support a well-informed and credible Head Start proposal by 9 August.

“Our communities told us very clearly: keep looking at reform, but don’t rush into something this important without understanding what it means for the Tararua District,” Mayor Gilmore says.  “That is what we have done. We have investigated further, talked with others, and looked carefully at the information available. At this point, we simply don’t have enough certainty to responsibly commit the Tararua District to the Head Start process.”

“We aspire to be a can-do council, and one that doesn’t just say no to things. But sometimes no is the right answer.”

Importantly, the decision does not mean Council is opposed to local government reform or has decided what the Tararua District’s future council arrangements should look like. The Head Start pathway is specifically focused on amalgamation into unitary councils. Council believes other approaches should also be investigated. These could include councils sharing more services and expertise, working together regionally, or other models that allow greater collaboration while retaining local representation and decision-making.

Mayor Gilmore says;

“Our priority remains unchanged - supporting reform that delivers better value for the Tararua District's ratepayers, strengthens local government, and preserves our local voice that makes communities like ours unique, but not through simple mass amalgamation.”

Council will now continue working with Central Government, neighbouring councils, iwi and other partners to investigate alternative reform options and build the evidence needed to make informed decisions.

Council will also monitor the Government’s proposed “Back Stop” process, with further details expected in 2027.

No preferred future structure for the Tararua District has been decided. Any significant proposal affecting the future of the district will come back to Council for consideration.

For further information:

Agenda of Council meeting - Wednesday, 29 July 2026

Video of Council Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/live/Vy5wy_i48w4?si=bL4lSN0ua4SVEA8z

Reform of Local Government | Tararua District Council

Amalgamation: Community Views Results Dashboard | Tararua District Council

Councils invited to fast-track local reform | Beehive.govt.nz

Simplifying Local Government | dia.govt.nz