Simplifying Local Government
Latest update (30 June)
Western Bay of Plenty District Council will continue work on two potential merger scenarios as part of the Government’s Head Start pathway for local government reform.
At the 30 June meeting, Councillors agreed to continue assessing options for a Head Start proposal, narrowing the potential scenarios from five to two. These being:
- A Regional Unitary Authority covering all councils in the Bay of Plenty region (Western Bay, Tauranga City, Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki), plus Bay of Plenty Regional Council functions
- A Sub-Regional Unitary Authority covering Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council, plus Bay of Plenty Regional Council functions.
Both scenarios will also consider the potential inclusion of Thames-Coromandel District Council as part of further investigation.
You can watch a recording of the 30 June Council meeting below, and view the 30 June Council agenda here: Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Next steps
Council will now investigate the two scenarios to help councillors make a final decision 4 August, rather than detailed analysis at this point.
This will include continuing discussions with neighbouring councils over the coming weeks to better understand what options may be achievable against the Government’s criteria.
While the work underway is focused on developing a high-level outline proposal only, more detailed analysis - including financial modelling, service delivery impacts, and representation - would only occur if a proposal is accepted by Government.
A final decision on whether to submit a proposal will be made at the 4 August Council meeting, ahead of the 9 August Government deadline.
Community conversation - COMPLETED
Between Monday 25 May and Sunday 14 June we held a community conversation on whether Western Bay should stay largely as it is, or join with other councils in the future.
This included an online submission form and six in-person sessions right across our District - from Waihī Beach to Maketū - on the following five scenarios:
- Regional unitary authority – all councils in the Bay of Plenty region (Western Bay, Tauranga City, Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki) reorganise to become one unitary authority that carries out all the functions of both local and regional council.
- Sub-regional unitary authority – Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council reorganise to become one unitary authority that carries out all the functions of both local and regional council, within the existing Western Bay and Tauranga City boundaries.
- Provincial unitary authority – Western Bay of Plenty District Council and other district councils in the existing Bay of Plenty region (Rotorua, Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki, but excluding Tauranga City) reorganise to become one unitary authority that carries out all the functions of both local and regional council.
- District split – the Western Bay is split, with different parts of the District joining different councils. For example, Western Bay could be split into East and West areas based on current known geographic boundaries, and each of these areas could join with their neighbouring councils.
- Western Bay unitary authority – Western Bay of Plenty District Council doesn’t join with any other councils, but takes on the functions of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council that can best be delivered locally. A region-wide Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), jointly owned by other councils in the Bay of Plenty, is formed to take on those functions that are better delivered regionally. Some functions could be delivered at a national level. Note: While a Western Bay unitary authority does not fit the current Government’s criteria for the Head Start pathway, this option has been included to inform future decision making by Council.
You can read our discussion document in full here.
Thank you to everyone who took part and provided their views. People understand this is a complex process, and while Council doesn't have every detail or every answer yet - they still showed up, asked thoughtful questions, and been willing to work through what this could mean in practice.
What came through is an openness to exploring change, alongside support for further analysis and investigation to help inform decisions ahead of the 9 August deadline.
However, we heard consistent concerns around maintaining local voice and representation, along with a clear desire not to take on existing debt from other councils.
Other themes identified include the need for cost effective provision of services and ensuring both rural and urban voices are adequately represented.
You can read the full feedback submission pack as part of the 30 June Council agenda here: Agenda of Council - Tuesday, 30 June 2026
What’s this all about?
The current Government on 5 May 2026 announced a new Head Start pathway, giving councils the option of putting forward proposals for how local government could be reorganised in the future. Councils have until 9 August 2026 to do this.
The Head Start pathway gives councils an early opportunity to propose their own preferences for regional reorganisation into unitary authorities (combining regional and local council responsibilities).
There are a few conditions attached: two or more local councils (not regional councils) are required to work together on the proposal, and the proposal can incorporate other councils, whether they agree with the proposal or not.
Head Start proposals would be in place for the 2028 elections.
Those that choose not to be part of the Head Start pathway will continue through to the 2028 elections, under the Backstop process. This involves the Government reorganising existing councils into unitary authorities.
Head Start
The voluntary head start pathway provides councils an early opportunity to propose their own arrangements for regional reorganisation into unitary authorities (combine regional and local council responsibilities).
There are a few conditions attached: two or more councils are required to work together on the proposal, and the proposal can incorporate other councils, whether they agree with the proposal or not.
Head Start arrangements would be in place for the 2028 elections.
Back Stop
For regions that are not part of the Head Start pathway, district and city councils will continue through to the 2028 elections. The Back Stop process involves the Government amalgamating existing councils into unitary authorities after the 2028 elections. This process will be developed by the government in 2027.
See more information from the Government here: Head-Start-Simplifying-Local-Government-policy-document.pdf
