Local Government Minister Simon Watts has firmly rejected suggestions that the government is softening its stance on council amalgamation, following claims by Tararua District Council Mayor Scott Gilmore. The dispute centres on the government’s May announcement requiring councils to submit reorganisation plans by 9 August, with a focus on abolishing regional councils and creating larger unitary authorities. Ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts warned councils at the time to “lead your own reform or we will do it for you”.
Mayor Gilmore told Morning Report that Tararua District Council would not be submitting a proposal by the deadline, saying there was insufficient time to develop a meaningful plan and the community did not support rushing into amalgamation. He argued the head-start process focuses solely on amalgamation rather than alternatives like shared services and collaboration. Gilmore claimed the government’s rhetoric had “changed and softened” based on conversations with the minister and a letter from Watts, which indicated the backstop process would be collaborative and based on the original Simplifying Local Government proposal.
Minister Watts strongly disputed any change in policy, stating “there has been no change in government policy” and that the government has always intended to work with councils. He confirmed that while council feedback would be considered in developing the backstop option for councils not participating in the head-start process, the government would make final decisions in 2027. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop warned mayors against making private conversations public, saying it would discourage ministerial engagement.
With the 9 August deadline approaching, few councils have developed firm proposals. The tension between Tararua District Council and central government highlights broader concerns among smaller councils about local representation and the risks of rapid amalgamation. The government maintains that change is inevitable, whether through council-led proposals or government-imposed reform.
Read the full article at RNZ – Political News →
Source: RNZ – Political News. This summary was published by Input Ltd via amalgamation.nz, New Zealand’s central resource for local government amalgamation news and council merger updates.
