Wairoa District Councillors have voted not to participate further in the Government’s Head Start pathway, including not being part of a Hawke’s Bay unitary authority, as part of the Simplifying Local Government reform programme.

At today’s (21.07.26) extraordinary council meeting elected members voted not to participate in the Head Start process and to commence an investigation of options under the Local Government Act that reflect the community’s feedback to date of Wairoa becoming a standalone unitary authority.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little described the decision as one of the most important and significant that Council is ever likely to be asked to make.

On 05 May 2026, the Government announced a voluntary Head Start pathway for councils to propose new unitary authorities. The pathway gives councils until 09 August 2026 to explore potential amalgamation with other Councils into larger unitary authorities or be mandated to restructure after the 2028 local elections through a compulsory ‘backstop’ pathway.

In choosing not to participate in the Head Start process, the Council said the pathway is being led by Government Ministers and their advisers, and it is not part of the statutory local government reorganisation process under the Local Government Act 2002.

Mayor Craig Little described the three-month Head Start timeframe as unrealistic, saying it is concerning to be proposing a change to the foundation of local democracy in such a rushed, ad hoc manner. “It is also not a voluntary pathway if by choosing not to opt in we are later mandated to restructure.

“Independent legal advice provided by Jonathan Salter of Simpson Grierson and commissioned by Local Government New Zealand concludes that the Head Start pathway currently has no statutory basis. Until Parliament enacts enabling legislation, councils remain fully subject to the Local Government Act. Our Council has resolved not to act outside the legislation of the Local Government Act.”

Following the Government’s initial Head Start pathway announcement, the Wairoa District Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the other Hawke's Bay Councils to explore possible options for local government reform. Last week, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council and Central Hawke's Bay District Council voted to prepare an outline proposal for a single Hawke's Bay unitary council under the Government's voluntary Head Start pathway. While the proposal includes Wairoa, there is also a contingency for any of the Councils, including Wairoa, to withdraw.

Mayor Little said it would be disappointing if any other district/region assumes to speak for Wairoa and include us in their Head Start proposals. No one speaks for Wairoa, but Wairoa.”

He said the Wairoa District Council’s priority has always been to engage and listen to our community. Nine community meetings were held across the district to discuss the reforms, and we have had open dialogue with our Post-Settlement Governance Entities. “Analysis of the community engagement and feedback showed an overwhelming majority of participants expressed support for investigating a standalone unitary governance model for Wairoa, including the possibility of Wairoa assuming regional council responsibilities, provided the functions are appropriately funded through the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's port, assets and investments.

“Our Council acknowledges that a proposal for a single-district Wairoa Unitary Authority does not align with the government's preferred model of regional consolidation. However, these reforms do not align with present legislation.

“This Government seems to struggle with the importance of local democracy within local government, particularly for smaller rural councils.

“Our community has shown strong support for future governance arrangements recognising Wairoa as a unique district rather than treating it as part of a generic regional model. “The clear message from the community was that any future governance arrangement should preserve Wairoa’s local voice, democratic representation, financial sustainability and resilience while recognising the district’s unique cultural, environmental, social and economic characteristics.”

22 July 2026

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