Local Government Reform
UPDATE: 24 September 2026
Government pushes pause on Head Start decisions
The Government has announced today that it will take additional time before deciding which Head Start local government reform proposals should progress to detailed design.
This means our "King Country Future" proposal has not been approved or rejected, but will not move into detailed design at this stage.
The Government has advised that the Head Start assessment identified some common issues across proposals that require further work, particularly around fair and effective representation, streamlined governance, and the transfer and delivery of regional functions. These issues were not unique to the King Country proposal.
Government officials will now work with councils, sector groups, iwi and hapū, and other stakeholders to work through these wider design issues. Councils have also been encouraged to continue working with their neighbours, testing ideas and building on the work already undertaken.
Read the full media release from the Beehive
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Mayors respond to Head Start decision
Waitomo and Ōtorohanga District Council’s “Our King Country Future” Head Start amalgamation proposal has been shelved for future consideration.
The decision, released by Cabinet today, means that it’s business as usual for both councils.
Waitomo Mayor John Robertson said that while disappointed the amalgamation of the two Councils did not get a quick tick, he is not surprised that Ministers have effectively kicked for touch.
“All is not lost. A King Country Council makes complete sense. I expect it to eventually get there, but we are going to have to wait now for the general elections to take place and the new government to make the call.”
BACKGROUND: OUR KING COUNTRY FUTURE
Ōtorohanga and Waitomo District Councils are working together to explore what local government could look like in the future through the Government's Head Start reform pathway. This process provides an opportunity for councils to help shape their own future arrangements, rather than having changes determined for us.
Our King Country Future is a shared information hub designed to provide clear, consistent, and up-to-date information for our communities. Here you'll find key project information, timelines, frequently asked questions, council documents, updates, and opportunities to learn more about the process.
The name ‘Our King Country Future’ was chosen jointly by the Mayors and Chief Executives of both councils to reflect the shared nature of this mahi and its focus on the future of our region.
Community meetings
DATE | TIME | WHERE |
Mon 8 June 2026 | 5.30pm – 6.30pm | Ōtorohanga |
Mon 22 June 2026 | 5.30pm – 7.00pm | Les Munro Centre, Te Kūiti |
Tue 23 June 2026 | 6.00pm – 7.00pm | College Hall, Ōtorohanga |
Wed 24 June 2026 | 5.30pm – 7.00pm | Farmers Night, Ōtorohanga Club (our Mayors will be there and would love to have a chat) |
Visit the 'Our King Country Future' Information Hub:
This website will remain the central source of information for the joint project. Information relating specifically to each council, including meeting papers and formal decisions, will continue to be published on the respective council websites.