Ōtorohanga and Waitomo mayors still seek council merger
Friday 25 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Warriors, NRL, Newcastle Knights
The mayors of Ōtorohanga and Waitomo districts remain interested in merging their councils despite a government delay. The Government has decided not to make any decisions on merger proposals until next year, following a three-month period for councils to submit Head Start proposals.
Key facts
4 facts
- Government will not make decisions on merger proposals until next year
- Ōtorohanga and Waitomo councils proposed to form a King Country Council
- The proposed King Country Council would include the Waikato Regional Council
- Councils were given three months to submit Head Start proposals
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Government will not make any decisions regarding local council merger proposals until next year. This follows a three-month period during which councils were asked to submit Head Start merger proposals or leave their fate to future legislation.
Ōtorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow and Waitomo Mayor John Robertson remain committed to their proposal to form a King Country Council. This proposed unitary authority would combine the functions of the Ōtorohanga and Waitomo district councils with the Waikato Regional Council.
Ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts acknowledged the quality of the proposals but stated more work is required. They noted that the Head Start process showed a genuine appetite for change within the sector.
Compiled from reports by Waikato Times and NZ Herald.
How they headlined it
More on Council amalgamation pause
- Minister rules out reimbursement for council reform costs
- Ruapehu mayor welcomes delay on council reform decisions
- Northland councils remain committed to amalgamation despite government pause
- Tūrangi councillor criticises government delay on forced council mergers
- Government pauses plans for council amalgamations until after election
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