Community priorities clear in local government reform survey results
Priority issues as identified by survey respondents at a regional level
BACKGROUND
In November 2025, the Government released a draft proposal for local government reform. All six Otago councils submitted feedback.
On 5 May 2026, the Government announced its intended policy. Two reform pathways were set out, including the Head Start’ for which outline proposals are due by 9 August and the ‘Backstop’ pathway, which will be legislated in 2027 but does not have clear detail yet.
The starting point for the government’s reform is creating a unitary authority within Otago. The Government has also said it will consider more than one unitary authority in a region where the region is large and has more complex issues.
On 22 May, Otago Mayoral Forum members agreed to work together on local government reform.
Working together through the Mayoral Forum does not mean a one-size-fits-all outcome. Each district has its own communities, geography and priorities, and there will be opportunities for district-level engagement alongside the regional process. The regional process is designed to generate shared analysis and options. The decisions remain with each local council.
The Mayoral Forum committed to being open to exploring cross-boundary considerations to achieve the best outcomes through the reform process and will be reaching out to neighbouring districts to test a willingness to work together in coming weeks.
The Forum wants to progress work within a timeframe that ensures the Head Start pathway is an option – with proposals due by 9 August.
The Otago Mayoral Forum comprises the Mayors of Waitaki District, Dunedin City, Central Otago District, Queenstown Lakes District, Clutha District and the Chair of Otago Regional Council.
