Hamilton City Council is evaluating six potential scenarios for local government reform, with initial analysis favouring mergers with one or two neighbouring councils.
In addition to three merger options initially identified, the Council is also testing the following models:
- a local government region based on the Metro Spatial Plan area. A new entity would cover parts of the current Waikato District and Waipā District council boundaries, and include Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Ngaaruawaahia;
- a ‘central Waikato’ entity encompassing all Waikato councils except those considering options with neighbouring regions;
- a western Waikato entity including Hamilton, Waipā, Waikato, Waitomo and Ōtorohanga.
Mayor, Tim Macindoe said the new scenarios demonstrate Council is doing due diligence on as many amalgamation options as possible.
“We’re taking a principles-based and evidence-led approach to our Head Start proposal and want to make sure whatever new entity we put forward is the best option according to these principles and central government’s criteria,” he said.
“Evaluating a broad range of options will provide additional confidence in the model we eventually submit.”
When deciding to pursue central government’s Head Start pathway for reform, Hamilton City Council initially identified three merger options:
- A merger with Waikato District Council based on the existing IAWAI (the new water company servicing both areas) partnership;
- A merger with Waikato District Council and Waipā District Council;
- A single council for the wider Waikato region (within the Waikato Regional Council boundary).
Preliminary analysis of the options shows the metro-centred models most effectively meet Council’s decision-making principles and the Head Start criteria.
“No decisions have been made yet, and there is still a lot of work to do as part of the evaluation process,” said Mayor Macindoe.
“This is simply an early and initial calculation. We are actively engaging with mana whenua and we will need to carefully consider their views and the results of our community consultation.
“A non-negotiable matter for us is that the regional council responsibilities are effectively managed and resourced, whatever the proposed model.
“The benefit of the models that create a new urban-centred entity is that it can be complemented by a highly viable rural and provincial focused unitary authority.”
Council is currently consulting on the following decision-making principles, to understand how important each is to the community.
| Address the challenges that come with working across boundaries | Growth-ready, rural-aware system |
| Better for ratepayers | Best long-term outcome |
| Effective decision-making | Strengthen our voice |
| More engagement with local democracy | Resilient region |
| Statutory and iwi alignment | Evidence-led |
Consultation closes on 5 July, with the submissions and insights to be published ahead of the 6 August Council meeting when the Head Start proposal will be debated.
Click here to have your say.
