Council amalgamation pause

The story so far

The Government's local government reform has included a Head Start process in which councils were given about three months to submit merger proposals.^{24, 25 Sep} Councils in the Waikato disclosed what they had paid reform consultants. Decisions on merger proposals will not be made until next year.^{25 Sep} Reaction was mixed: a Tūrangi councillor called the delay a waste of time after staff worked hard to meet deadlines, while the Ruapehu mayor welcomed it.^{25, 30 Sep} Leaders in Northland and the Ōtorohanga and Waitomo mayors said they still want to pursue amalgamation.^{25, 26 Sep}

Latest

His announcement followed heated exchanges with mayors and councillors who were frustrated by the costs.^{16 Oct}

What's next

Any final decision on merger proposals is expected after the general election in November.^{26 Sep}

Key moments

1. 24 SepGovernment pauses council amalgamation plans until after the election.
2. 25 SepGovernment says no merger decisions until next year.
3. 25 SepTūrangi councillor calls the delay a waste of time.
4. 26 SepNorthland leaders keep pursuing amalgamation despite the pause.
5. 16 OctMinister rules out reimbursing councils for Head Start costs.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.