Marlborough District Council has launched a second survey asking residents and ratepayers for their views on a proposal to join with Kaikōura District Council to create a unitary council covering both districts.
The survey follows Kaikōura District Council’s decision on 15 July to pursue a joint proposal with Marlborough under the Government’s Head Start initiative, part of its Simplifying Local Government reforms. Marlborough councillors must now decide whether to participate in the development of an amalgamation proposal, for consideration by the Government.
Mayor, Nadine Taylor said the survey gives residents an opportunity to provide direct feedback on whether Council should proceed to the next stage of merger considerations.
“Earlier this month we asked for people’s initial view on the possibility of a merger with Kaikōura. Over 200 people told us they wanted to better understand how costs, local representation, Marlborough’s identity, infrastructure and emergency management would be protected,” Mayor Taylor said.
“The feedback was generally positive or neutral, but councillors recognise there are questions that need to be answered before the next decision is made.”
She noted that because Marlborough is already a unitary council it is not required to participate in the Head Start process, so Councillors need to decide whether or not to develop a joint amalgamation proposal with Kaikōura.
The new survey asks residents whether they support Council submitting a proposal to the Government if the concerns raised during the first round of engagement can be addressed.
She said residents should be aware that any merger proposal – if supported by the Government – would be subject to a comprehensive public consultation process, likely in early 2027.
“There will be more opportunities for people to have their say,” the Mayor said.
The survey runs from noon today – Monday 20 July – to noon on 29 July and is available on the Have Your Say section of Council’s website at: www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/have-your-say-consultations.
