Council proposes proactive local approach to reform

Published on 04 August 2026

Whanganui District Council has voted to continue to work with interested councils on exploring options to simplify local government.

Mayor Andrew says over the past three months, mayors and council chief executives in the region and nearby have met regularly to discuss opportunities and challenges presented by the government's Simplifying Local Government reforms.

The council has also commissioned and considered data and technical analysis, engaged with Iwi and Hapū partners, and asked the community for their initial thoughts.

This work has been in response to the government’s Head Start programme, which gave councils a three-month window to put forward proposals to join with others.

“We've had many productive discussions and begun to build up an information base,” Mayor Andrew says. “That work has strengthened our understanding of the issues and, in particular, the opportunities. It’s shown there's more work to do before any structural changes can be properly considered. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to think bigger than the Head Start pathway to reimagine local government in and for the future."

While the government’s deadline for Head Start proposals is 9 August, Whanganui District Council, like some councils, will take more time to consider the options.

“For some councils, change is more straightforward because amalgamation discussions were well advanced and Head Start was primarily for those councils,” Mayor Andrew says. But for most, it makes sense to take the time to build a robust evidence base and work carefully through it so we can make the best decision for our communities now and in years to come.”

Over the past three months, Whanganui District Council sought feedback from the wider community through a livestreamed community panel session, a survey, a webinar, and community kōrero sessions.

"We appreciate the time people took to share their initial thoughts with us and be part of the conversation."

Mayor Andrew says the council’s decision to sign a regional Memorandum of Understanding to work together is the best approach to proactively and locally lead any reform of local government.

"Continuing to work with interested councils doesn't predetermine any outcome or limit councils from exploring alternatives," he says.

"What it does do is give us a structured way to continue to work together, build a stronger evidence base and consider different options before any decisions are made.

"We need robust modelling to help us understand the implications, opportunities and long-term outcomes. That work, alongside continued conversations with our communities and partners, will help shape the next phase of this process."

"For our council, the priority is making sure decisions deliver the best outcomes for Whanganui and the region and we’ll continue working constructively with our regional partners while keeping the community involved as the picture becomes clearer.”

You can find out more on the Head Start: simplifying local government page on the Whanganui District Council website.