Councils unite behind Head Start proposal to reshape local government

10 August 2026

Read the whole Plan document here - PDF, 2564.41 KB

The plan, submitted to the Ministry of Cities Environment Regions and Transport on Sunday, proposes to create a single, stronger unitary authority across one of New Zealand's most economically significant regions.

The proposal is the product of months of intensive work, honest debate and close collaboration between the partner councils, who share strong communities of interest across their economies, river catchments and outlook.

The new region takes in the five districts of Waitaki, Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru and Ashburton. It stretches from Aoraki/Mount Cook, the nation's highest peak, down through the region's mighty braided rivers to the Pacific coast.

The mayors describe the region as a genuine powerhouse for the country – home to the Waitaki Valley hydro schemes that help power the North Island through the HVDC link, some of New Zealand's most productive agricultural land and food processing industries, and internationally renowned tourism destinations.

Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen said the proposal reflected a shared, long-term vision rather than simply a redrawing of boundaries.

"This has been a genuine team effort, and I'm proud of what our four councils have achieved together in a very short space of time," Mayor Bowen said.

"We've chosen to take this opportunity to design a future council that will work for all our communities. This region powers New Zealand in the most literal sense, and this proposal is about making sure our local government is as capable and ambitious as the place it serves."

Mackenzie District Mayor Scott Aronsen said the collaboration had been constructive and forward-looking throughout.

"We've had open, honest conversations around the table, and that's exactly what a decision of this scale deserves," Mayor Aronsen said.

"For our smaller and rural communities, this is about securing better services, stronger representation and real resilience for the future. Working together, we can achieve things none of us could deliver alone."

Waimate District Mayor Craig Rowley said the process had been about keeping options open while doing the hard work properly.

"There's been a huge amount of effort go into getting us to this point, and I want to acknowledge everyone involved," Mayor Rowley said.

"This proposal keeps our district's voice at the heart of any future arrangement. It's practical, it's ambitious, and it makes sure smaller communities like ours are heard every step of the way."

Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said the partnership recognised the deep connections across the wider region.

"Our communities are linked by our rivers, our economy and our way of life, and this proposal reflects that reality," Mayor Tavendale said.

"We've listened carefully to our communities throughout, and I'm pleased we can put forward something genuinely locally led. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build something better together."

The partner councils have proposed to include the Ashburton District in the final proposal, recognising that a larger footprint could offer greater scale, a broader rating base and stronger regional capability.

The mayors say the proposal offers central government a single, capable regional partner for infrastructure investment, transport, and environmental management across a nationally important part of the South Island.

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Simplifying Local Government – Getting ready for change

(NOTE: This page will be updated as more information becomes available.)

On May 5, 2026, the New Zealand Government announced the Head Start for Simplifying Local Government - a streamlined, voluntary pathway for councils willing and able to reorganise before the 2028 local body elections.

Head Start allows groups of two or more councils to propose creating new unitary authorities by combining regional and territorial council functions. If councils do not participate in the Head Start initiative, central government will make these decisions on behalf of those councils in the compulsory backstop process, after the 2028 local body elections. The status quo is not an option.

At Mackenzie District Council, we see the Head Start pathway is an opportunity to take greater control of our future, shaping a model that works for our towns, our rural communities, and every place in between. As a community, we have an opportunity to make our voice heard.

This reform is our opportunity to build a local government structure that truly reflects who we are and what we need.

We are actively engaging with neighbouring councils to explore options for a new local government structure that reflects the needs and priorities of our region.

What exactly is Central Government asking of us?

The Head Start pathway is focused on structural reform. It allows groups of two or more councils to propose new unitary authorities that combine regional and territorial council functions, with the goal of simplifying governance and reducing duplication.

Rather than having Combined Territories Boards (CTBs) of mayors, decided by central government, the Head Start pathway gives councils the opportunity to lead this work themselves.

Regional councillors, such as Environment Canterbury (E-Can) elected members, are expected to remain in place until the 2028 local elections, after which they will be replaced by an interim body (for example, a board of mayors, crown commissioners, or a combination of both) until the new territorial structure is put in place.

How long do we have to decide on what we want to do?

The Head Start process requires us to submit an outline proposal to Central Government by 11.59pm on Sunday August 9, 2026.

Will the community be consulted?

We have a short but important window to hear from our communities as part of the Head Start process, and central government expects mayors and councils to provide local leadership through this process.

Mackenzie District Council is committed to making sure voices from our communities shape the outcome. If you have any thoughts you’d like to share, please either email them to feedback@mackenzie.govt.nz or go to our Lets Talk page and complete the form

We need to hear from you by 5.00pm on Sunday June 21, 2026

We will be holding  public meetings in our main centres. When we know the details we will advertisie them on our socials, in our newsletters, and on Events section on the front page of this website.

Central government has said that, if a Head Start proposal is accepted, more community consultation will occur as part of the detailed design phase in 2027.

What happens after August 9, 2026?

Central Government will assess all outline proposals against five criteria:

1. Deliverability: Proposals are realistic and demonstrate how new arrangements can be implemented in a timely manner.
2. Supports the new planning system: Shows clear support for implementing the new plaHnin, nineged help? system – including progress on spatial and natural environment plan development – and avoids or minimises disruption to that work.
3. Simplifies local governance: Proposes more efficient regional governance arrangements, consolidating decision-making and improving alignment between a region’s councils.
4. Economies of scale: Supports regional strategic planning and effective delivery of key regional functions (such as transport and catchment management), and demonstrates responsible and affordable asset management, infrastructure investment, and service delivery
5. Maintains local voice: Demonstrates fair and effective representation for communities of interest and how decisions will be made at the local level, balancing urban and rural interests. If our Head Start Proposal is accepted, when will it be implemented?

Accepted proposals will move into detailed design, with the policy decisions and enabling legislation expected to progress through 2027 and the beginning of 2028.

Implementation begins in May 2028 to be ready ahead of the October 2028 local elections.

Want more information?

Simplifying Local Government - DIA

Councils invited to fast-track local reform - Government media release