Protecting Wairoa’s local voice and identity is the strong theme from the Wairoa District Council's community meetings to discuss the government’s Simplifying Local Government Reform Programme.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Litle said over the past fortnight, the Council has been gathering feedback through face-to-face meetings, a survey, email, and social media. “We have had some really insightful feedback and appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts.

“The majority of the response from the community meetings to date has been very clear: Wairoa people support Wairoa becoming its own unitary authority and taking over the Wairoa functions of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council – provided we get a fair and appropriate share of the regional council's assets. Central Government has signalled it is unlikely to support this direction, and we will continue to explore all options.

“Key themes that have come out of the meetings include that bigger is not always better, and moving decision-making away from the people it impacts does not work. There is a strong desire to protect Wairoa’s Māori, rural and township voices, and people want to ensure reform is done with Wairoa rather than to Wairoa.”

Mayor Little said there is widespread concern that the government’s process is rushed, lacks transparency, and may not be legally or democratically robust. “There are so many questions that we do not have the answers to. In a nutshell, though, what I am hearing is that people are less interested in the mechanics of reform and are mostly concerned with how Wairoa can preserve its ability to make decisions for itself and ensure we are not overlooked in any future restructuring of local government. Our people want value for all of Wairoa’s communities and have told us that any governance changes should improve affordability, service delivery, and outcomes for all ratepayers – not compromise it.

“Our community wants reassurance about local control, fair representation and equitable return, and Wairoa's future viability.

“The last meeting in this engagement series will be held at the Ruakituri Community Hall on Monday, 6 July, from 5.30pm -7.30pm. We are then planning on holding a meeting in town to share the results of the feedback.”

You can share your thoughts by emailing feedback@wairoadc.govt.nz or going to www.consultations.nz/wdc

29 June 2026

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