Mayor Andy Watson: Rangitīkei must have a say on simplifying local government
May 19, 2026
Many of you will be aware that the Government recently acted to make changes to the leadership of Regional Councils such as Horizons.
However, last week we received further direction from the Minister of Local Government, Simon Watts. He said that there are a number of councils seeking to amalgamate and to assist them he announced that there would be a ‘Head Start’ process to help them form larger councils as unitary authorities.
A unitary authority covers both regional council functions and normal council duties. Proposals must be submitted by 9 August. Minister Chris Bishop, who is the Minister responsible for the Resource Management Act reform, has described the Head Start process as a carrot and stick approach. Essentially, the Government is saying that it wants fewer councils and is legislating to make that happen.
Like many of my colleagues across local government, I am surprised by the speed of the ‘Head Start’ process. Twelve weeks is not enough time to properly consider such significant reform.
There are important and valuable conversations to be had about how local government can work better. It is fair to ask whether the current system is giving people the best results, and I believe many would support practical, well-considered improvements.
But decisions of this scale should not be rushed. They need to be supported by robust information, open discussion, and enough time for residents and ratepayers to understand what is being proposed and consider what it means for them.
Councils across New Zealand are already managing major change with Local Water Done Well, resource management reform, and rising costs across all operational areas. Adding a fast-tracked amalgamation process on top places more pressure on an already stretched sector.
That said, we need to be practical. The Government’s direction is clear. It wants fewer councils and larger local government unitary authorities. Whether we agree with the timing or not, Councillors and I have a responsibility to ensure Rangitīkei’s voice is heard.
From June, we will be holding public meetings across the district to hear your views on amalgamation, the Government’s proposal, and what you think the next steps should be for Rangitīkei.
We will also open an online survey asking what matters most to you. Is it keeping local decision-making close to rural communities? Protecting our local identity? Improving council processes? Reducing costs? Strengthening our influence regionally? Or something else entirely?
There may be an expectation that larger councils automatically mean lower rates. I think we need to be careful about this. Finding efficiencies is important, but this does not always mean rates become cheaper. Where real cost reductions are proposed, communities will also need to understand what the trade-offs may be – because there is always a trade-off. In this instance, the most likely trade-off is changes to the services you currently receive from council.
I urge you to have your say.
More details will be available on the Rangitīkei District Council website by the end of the week and shared through Council channels.
If you are part of a community group, iwi, hapū, business, rural community, or local organisation that would like to be heard, please get in touch. I will make time for anyone who wants to discuss what this could mean for our district.
The timeframe is far too short, and the process is not what we would have hoped. But Rangitīkei District Council will not allow decisions to be made about our future without having a seat at the table.
Councillors and I look forward to talking with you over the coming weeks.
Please contact info@rangitikei.govt.nz if you would like to organise a time to meet.
Ngā mihi, Andy Watson
Background: What has the Government announced and what does it mean?
In short, the Government has introduced what it is calling a “Head Start” process for councils that may want to amalgamate and form larger unitary authorities. A unitary authority is a council that carries out both district council functions, like roads, parks and community facilities, and regional council functions, like environmental management and public transport.
The Government has given councils a very tight window to consider whether they want to put forward a proposal under the “Head Start” process. Councils that want to take part must submit a proposal outlining the new, larger entity they propose to create by Sunday 9 August 2026.