Kia Ora.

We have completed nine community meetings across the Tararua District to discuss the Government’s proposed local government reforms and hear directly from our people about the future they want for our district.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to be involved in this serious matter. The meetings were very well attended, and many more people shared their views through surveys and written feedback. We also met with a number of important stakeholders, including our iwi Partners and Federated Farmers, to hear their perspectives.

What stood out in the community meetings was the consistent feedback.

The strongest and most widely raised concern was the Government’s proposed three-month timeframe. Many people questioned how decisions of this scale can properly be considered within such a short period when so many important questions remain unanswered.

A recurring theme was local voice and localism and the value of decisions being made by people who understand local communities, local challenges, and local priorities. There was significant concern and, frankly, anger at the prospect of changes that could weaken local representation and the ability of communities to influence decisions that affect their daily lives.

Another clear concern raised in the meetings related to roading, infrastructure, and emergency management, and the impacts if local accountability is reduced or eliminated. People reflected on recent weather events and the importance of having decision-makers close to the ground who understand local networks, risks, and response needs. The concern was not only about local impacts, but also about the wider flow-on economic effects if that system is not maintained with strong local oversight.

Perhaps the clearest message of all was that the community wants us to continue to seek a better option.

Many residents questioned whether forced amalgamation is the only way to achieve real improvements in local government rather than exploring alternatives that improve efficiency while retaining local governance and representation. A common view was that simply merging councils into larger regional entities does not automatically improve local government, and that real reform should strengthen local democracy, not weaken it.

At the same time, a preference emerged in the nine meetings that if amalgamation of all New Zealand councils ultimately becomes unavoidable, we should first look towards the Horizons region. While there were differing views on some of the options presented, support for this was noticeably stronger than for any other amalgamation option. Council will have the option to investigate this further, along with conducting modelling for another option or options if it wishes, so we have a clearer comparison point for future decisions.

Last weekend I had another discussion with the Minister of Local Government regarding the concerns being raised by our communities. Following that conversation, I have formally written to him seeking clarification around the proposed Backstop process, which remains one of the greatest areas of uncertainty.

Council’s next step will be an Extraordinary Council Meeting this Wednesday. Amongst other things, Councillors will consider the feedback received and will be asked to determine which options should continue to be investigated further. No decision on amalgamation will be made at that meeting, but we will agree on a path forward.

The message from the Tararua District has been clear: take the time to get this right, protect local voice, continue advocating for a better option, and if change becomes unavoidable, ensure our district is in the strongest possible position for the future.

Ngā mihi nui, many thanks,

Scott Gilmore - Mayor.