Reform of Local Government

Central Government has asked councils across New Zealand to begin looking at possible changes to local government structures and services. As part of this, councils have been given three months to develop and discuss possible amalgamation options for their areas.

For Tararua District, this means early conversations are now underway about what the future of local government could look like for our communities. At this stage, nothing has been decided.

We are holding a series of public meetings across the district, including our coastal communities between 18-24 May - details are below.

What does “amalgamation” mean?

Amalgamation means combining councils or changing the way local government is structured and delivered across different areas.

This could involve councils working together under one larger council structure, changing regional boundaries, or exploring other models of local governance.

View current local and regional boundaries

What options could be considered?

At this early stage, all options remain open for discussion. Potential pathways could include:

Forming an amalgamated council within the Horizons Region
Forming an amalgamated council with Wairarapa councils, and potentially Wellington councils
Forming an amalgamated council with Hawke’s Bay councils
Different parts of the Tararua District aligning with different neighbouring areas
Choosing not to take part in the current “Head Start” process and engaging later through the “Backstop” process*
Or, if these options are unacceptable to our community, we could choose publicly to fight the current proposals.

These are significant conversations that could affect local representation, decision-making, services, rates, infrastructure, and the future direction of our communities.

The “Head Start” process is the Government’s voluntary 3-month window for councils to work together and develop their own proposed amalgamation or local government reform plans to submit to Central Government by 9 August 2026.

This allows councils and communities to have early input into what future local government structures could look like in their area.

The “Backstop” process is the Government’s compulsory reform pathway for councils that do not progress through the Head Start process, are not included in a proposal, or have proposals declined.

Under this approach, Central Government would lead the reform process after the 2028 local elections and determine future council structures and governance arrangements. Exact details of the Backstop process are still being developed by the Government.

Community conversations

Before any positions begin to form, we want to hear directly from our communities. We are holding a series of public meetings across the district, including our coastal communities, to:

Share information about the process
Hear initial community views
Answer questions where possible
Begin an open and honest conversation about the future of local government in Tararua

No decisions are being made at these meetings. They are an opportunity for the community to be informed, ask questions, and help guide the direction of future discussions.

Public meeting dates and locations

Download the poster to print and display (PDF file, 168.2 KB)

Monday 18 May, 5:30pm	Pahiatua	Town Hall
Tuesday 19 May, 5:30pm	Woodville	Sports Stadium
Wednesday 20 May, 5:30pm	Dannevirke	The Hub
Friday 22 May, 5:30pm	Eketāhuna	Community Centre
Saturday 23 May, 10:00am	Herbertville	Herbertville Inn
Saturday 23 May, 1:30pm	Ākitio	Community Centre
Saturday 23 May, 5:30pm	Pongaroa	Pongaroa Pub
Monday 25 May, 5:30pm	Norsewood	War Memorial Hall