Timaru, Waimate mayors welcome opportunity to join larger unitary council

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

The mayors of Timaru and Waimate have come out in support of a government proposal to amalgamate councils, with Timaru’s saying he already has the ball rolling on just how a new structure across South Canterbury may work.

“We welcome the opportunity to become a larger unitary council and take greater control of our future,’’ Nigel Bowen said following Tuesday’s Government announcement that councils had three months to submit proposals to amalgamate, or it would step in and do it for them.

“For too long, the urban voice of Christchurch has dominated regional policy, often failing to reflect the priorities and perspectives of South Canterbury urban and rural communities,’’ Bowen, who was also the chairperson of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, said.

“This is our opportunity to reset that balance and shape a model that works for town, country and every place in between.’’

From Tuesday, he would be “actively engaging with neighbouring councils to progress options for a new local government structure across South Canterbury’’.

“This work will be outcomes-driven, with a clear focus on delivering a preferred model for change.

“As part of this, we will also engage directly with Environment Canterbury to assess how regional functions could be better aligned or integrated within a future unitary structure.’’

He said his council recognised and supported the importance of progressing this work ahead of the 2028 local government elections “so that the future structure is clearly defined and communities can have confidence in how they are represented before they are asked to vote’’.

Timaru’s council had been working on the reform since December and its focus had been “getting match fit for reform’’, he said.

“We have been planning on the assumption there would be change, so I am comfortable with what could be seen as a short time frame.’’

Making the announcement on Tuesday, Resource Management Act Reform Minister Chris Bishop said if councils failed to put forward credible proposals, the Government would step in and make the decisions itself.

The “Head Start” pathway gave councils three months to work with their neighbours to produce proposals that amalgamated councils into unitary authorities.

It followed the announcement late last year that regional councils would be disestablished.

Waimate District mayor Craig Rowley said the announcement was a positive step from the minister to give councils the ability to progress their reorganisation proposals.

“Waimate District Council will not be one of the councils to take up the Head Start pathway. We will work with our neighbouring councils in due course,” Rowley said.

Further south, Waitaki District mayor Mel Tavendale said the Government’s expectations were clear.

“This is about change, there will be no status quo, and we have the opportunity to lead the change for our communities,” Tavendale said.

“Affordability, sustainability and local representation will be our priority in approaching these reforms.”

Mackenzie District mayor Scott Aronsen had also been approached for comment.

The proposals would focus on creating larger, more efficient unitary authorities that “streamline functions, reduce duplication and improve decision-making”, Local Government Minister Simon Watts said.

Councils had the opportunity to draw their own boundaries, and proposals did not have to cover an entire region, he said.

Cabinet would decide which proposals to progress, with decisions made later this year. Endorsed proposals would then be developed in detail and signed off in 2027, with changes implemented ahead of the 2028 local government elections.