The Government is proposing a voluntary Head Start pathway that allows councils to lead early work on regional reorganisation, rather than immediately replacing regional councillors with Combined Territorial Boards (CTBs) of mayors.
Regional councillors are expected to remain in place until the 2028 local elections, after which an interim governance model (such as a board of mayors or commissioners) may be introduced.
Participating councils will be able to develop locally led reorganisation proposals, with a focus on creating unitary authorities to improve efficiency, strengthen collaboration, and better align regional decision-making.
Councils choosing the Head Start pathway must submit outline proposals within defined timeframes (opening May 2026 and closing August 2026), with further detailed planning progressing through to final Government decisions ahead of 2028.
One of the key drivers for this change is the introduction of a new planning system to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) , which will significantly reshape the functions currently undertaken by regional councils.
These reforms are expected to result in significant shifts in roles and responsibilities across local government.
The requirement to develop reorganisation proposals is also likely to prompt discussion about shared services, structural change, or potential amalgamation—potentially reshaping how local government is organised and delivered in the future.
This is a significant change from the prior timeline which allowed Combined Territorial Boards (CTBs) composed of Mayors, to work on Regional Reorganisation Plans to improve efficiency, strengthen collaboration across councils, and ensure decisions are made closer to communities. I this timeline councils had two years to submit re-organisation plans to the Minister for Local Government for approval.
However, under Head Start councils had a three month timeframe to make submissions.
Rates capping / Simplifying Local Government Resources:
- Head Start pathway - https://www.dia.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government
- https://www.teurukahika.govt.nz/news-and-publications/2026/may/head-start-pathway-a-practical-start-to-local-government-reform
- https://www.dia.govt.nz/Local-Government-Policy
- https://www.dia.govt.nz/Local-Government-Review
- Review into the Future for Local Government 2023
- NZ Productivity Commission - Local Government Insights 2020
- LGNZ Simplifying Local Government Process
- Simpson Grierson: Proposed Regional Governance overhaul – implications and opportunities
- Waimakariri District Council community engagement page
- North Canterbury Council - Hurunui & Waimakariri Head Start proposal
- Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch & Selwyn joint letter of support re Head Start
Waimakariri District Council's View:
In early August, Waimakariri District Council has voted to work in partnership with Hurunui District Council to create a new North Canterbury council. 
Community feedback from almost 2,000 Waimakariri residents showed strong support and endorsement for this model:
- 91.3% identified Waimakariri as part of the wider North Canterbury community, compared with 8.7% who identified more closely with Greater Christchurch
- A North Canterbury unitary council (Waimakariri, Hurunui and potentially Kaikōura) was the preferred amalgamation model, receiving 54.2% of first-preference votes
- Written submissions showed strong support for local representation and decision-making, with respondents emphasising the importance of retaining North Canterbury's identity and ensuring rural communities continue to have a strong voice.
Community feedback from over 1,250 Hurunui residents in a recent sentiment survey supported this decision, with:
- 97% of respondents indicating they would like Hurunui to be part of the Head Start process.
- 84% ranking a North Canterbury unitary as a first-choice amalgamation option.
Further South, Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council opted by submit proposals to become unitary councils alone.
Next steps
Whichever pathway is chosen, the Government will have the final say. Decsions on the Head Start proposals are expected in September.
The legislation to support these changes is proposed to be introduced by Government in 2027, and implementation would begin in 2028 in the leadup to the next local elections.