Tararua District Council has agreed on its next steps in response to the Central Government's proposal to reform (reshape) local government.

At an Extraordinary Meeting on 10 June, Council agreed to:

• Back the community's support for Option Six (fight for a better option), including the community's wish to challenge the proposed reform timeframe and look at other ways to improve local government.
• Investigate Option Four (go west to the Manawatū-Whanganui region), including financial modelling. This option had the strongest community support of any amalgamation option and was noted as either a first choice or backup option.
• Investigate Option Two (go south to Wairarapa), including financial modelling, noting support from iwi and some community members for this direction.
• Allow the Mayor and Chief Executive to continue talks with neighbouring councils.

No decision on amalgamation has been made. These are early decisions that reflect what the community told us: take the time to get this right, and put the district in the best position possible for whatever comes next.

From 18-27 May, Council held nine community meetings across the district, with more than 550 people in attendance. There were 409 people that shared their views through written and online feedback. Council also met with iwi partners and rural stakeholders.

Mayor Scott says the feedback from those meetings was consistent and clear.

"Our community was unhappy, and in many cases appalled, that a decision of this significance could be expected within just three months. This is the largest shake-up of local government since 1989, and potentially even more significant than that. Local voice was a recurring theme, with significant concern about changes that could weaken local representation. People also raised the importance of local accountability for roading, infrastructure, and emergency management, particularly given recent weather events in the district."

Mayor Scott says the clearest message was that the community wants Council to keep pushing for a better option than a simple amalgamation.

“Many people questioned whether amalgamation would actually deliver lower costs or better local government, and there was a strong view that reform should improve local government, not simply abolish it favour of more distant regional government."

“Even if our preference remains to pursue a better option, it is important that we understand the costs, benefits and implications of the options available. Having robust information will provide a valuable comparison and benchmark against the two options, and any alternative proposals that emerge. That’s why Council has decided to seek more detailed financial modelling of amalgamation options within both the Horizons region and the Wairarapa.”

“Where people did express a preference for an amalgamation option, support for looking west within the existing Horizons region was strongest. Importantly, that support often reflected a least-worst position.”

Mayor Scott said the community's message has been heard.

"Our communities should get the final say on any plan. Localism, local voice and local decision making should be protected and enhanced, not eliminated. And any plan should genuinely deliver greater efficiency and affordability for our communities. That is what I will be advocating for throughout this process."

What happens next?

Council will now talk with neighbouring councils to find out whether they are willing to take part in further discussions. Financial modelling will also be carried out where possible, and engagement with iwi and communities will continue. Council will report back before 9 August 2026, which is the deadline Central Government has given councils to submit their proposals under the Head Start process.

About the reform programme On 5 May 2026, Central Government announced plans to reshape (reform) local government across New Zealand. Councils were invited to work with their neighbours to put forward proposals to merge into larger councils. They have three months to submit outline proposals through a voluntary "Head Start" process. Cabinet will then decide which proposals move forward. Councils that do not take part in the Head Start process will go through a "Backstop" process, where Central Government has said it will step in to decide future arrangements. More detail on how this will work has not yet been confirmed.

More information:

• 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