Head Start - Local Government Reform

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The Government is proposing to change how councils are made up across New Zealand with its Head Start Simplifying Local Government process. All councils across the country have been asked to develop proposals so we want to figure out the best solution for Southland. This is a separate process to the one being led by the Local Government Commission which is in its second phase, where it narrows down options which could work for the region.

Invercargill City Council has decided on a starting position for exploring a Head Start proposal, one unitary council for the Southland regional boundary – but this is open to change. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most and shape the approach that works best for our communities.


What this means for Invercargill City Council

On 4 June 2026, Elected Members decided Invercargill City Council would work towards submitting a Head Start proposal.  

Council’s starting position is one unitary council model for Southland (within the the Southland Regional boundary). Through the development process this position may change. Council may not ultimately make a proposal. Your feedback now can inform this process

Gore District Council is engaging on five different options. Southland District Council initially proposed a two Council model- one city and one rural - which commenced the Local Government Commission investigation process.

Essentially this means Invercargill City Council (and other councils) may not exist in their current form when it comes time to vote in the 2028 local government elections.  


What Central Government will look for

All Head Start proposals will be measured against the following five criteria:

Simplifies local governance

Proposes more efficient regional governance arrangements, consolidating decision-making and improving alignment between a region's councils.

Maintains local voice

Demonstrates fair and effective representation for communities of interest and how decisions will be made at the local level.

Economies of scale

Supports regional strategic planning and effective delivery of key regional functions (such as transport and catchment management), and demonstrates responsible and affordable asset management, infrastructure investment, and service delivery.

Supports the new planning system

Shows clear support for implementing the new planning system – including progress on spatial and natural environment plan development – and avoids or minimises disruption to that work.

Deliverability

Proposals are realistic and demonstrate how new arrangements can be implemented in a timely manner.


What could change and what stays the same

For clarity’s sake, let’s separate what might change down the track from what will keep running as normal while these conversations are happening. This could all change through either the Government’s local government reform or through the Local Government Commission process. While we intend to submit a proposal informed by community feedback and our modelling, the decision and outcome will ultimately fall to the Government.

What could change

  • The number of councils and where their boundaries sit.

  • Whether we keep separate regional, city and district councils, or move to one or two combined ("unitary") councils.

  • Who you vote for, and how councillors are organised.

  • How some region-wide services — like environmental management, public transport and flood protection — are governed.

What stays the same - for now

  • Your everyday services keep running: water, roads, rubbish, libraries, parks and consents.

  • Rates are still collected and services still delivered as usual.

  • Regional councillors stay in place until the 2028 local elections.

No decisions have been made yet.


Why we're talking about this now

The Government announced the Head Start pathway on 5 May 2026 and set a tight timeframe. Councils that want to use it must submit an outline proposal by 11.59pm, Sunday 9 August 2026. Because that window is short, we want to hear from you early - community feedback closes on 12 July 2026 - so your views can help shape our thinking and our proposal.

The Government is proposing to change how councils are made up across New Zealand with its Head Start Simplifying Local Government process. All councils across the country have been asked to develop proposals so we want to figure out the best solution for Southland. This is a separate process to the one being led by the Local Government Commission which is in its second phase, where it narrows down options which could work for the region.

Invercargill City Council has decided on a starting position for exploring a Head Start proposal, one unitary council for the Southland regional boundary – but this is open to change. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most and shape the approach that works best for our communities.


What this means for Invercargill City Council

On 4 June 2026, Elected Members decided Invercargill City Council would work towards submitting a Head Start proposal.  

Council’s starting position is one unitary council model for Southland (within the the Southland Regional boundary). Through the development process this position may change. Council may not ultimately make a proposal. Your feedback now can inform this process

Gore District Council is engaging on five different options. Southland District Council initially proposed a two Council model- one city and one rural - which commenced the Local Government Commission investigation process.

Essentially this means Invercargill City Council (and other councils) may not exist in their current form when it comes time to vote in the 2028 local government elections.  


What Central Government will look for

All Head Start proposals will be measured against the following five criteria:

Simplifies local governance

Proposes more efficient regional governance arrangements, consolidating decision-making and improving alignment between a region's councils.

Maintains local voice

Demonstrates fair and effective representation for communities of interest and how decisions will be made at the local level.

Economies of scale

Supports regional strategic planning and effective delivery of key regional functions (such as transport and catchment management), and demonstrates responsible and affordable asset management, infrastructure investment, and service delivery.

Supports the new planning system

Shows clear support for implementing the new planning system – including progress on spatial and natural environment plan development – and avoids or minimises disruption to that work.

Deliverability

Proposals are realistic and demonstrate how new arrangements can be implemented in a timely manner.


What could change and what stays the same

For clarity’s sake, let’s separate what might change down the track from what will keep running as normal while these conversations are happening. This could all change through either the Government’s local government reform or through the Local Government Commission process. While we intend to submit a proposal informed by community feedback and our modelling, the decision and outcome will ultimately fall to the Government.

What could change

  • The number of councils and where their boundaries sit.

  • Whether we keep separate regional, city and district councils, or move to one or two combined ("unitary") councils.

  • Who you vote for, and how councillors are organised.

  • How some region-wide services — like environmental management, public transport and flood protection — are governed.

What stays the same - for now

  • Your everyday services keep running: water, roads, rubbish, libraries, parks and consents.

  • Rates are still collected and services still delivered as usual.

  • Regional councillors stay in place until the 2028 local elections.

No decisions have been made yet.


Why we're talking about this now

The Government announced the Head Start pathway on 5 May 2026 and set a tight timeframe. Councils that want to use it must submit an outline proposal by 11.59pm, Sunday 9 August 2026. Because that window is short, we want to hear from you early - community feedback closes on 12 July 2026 - so your views can help shape our thinking and our proposal.

  • Head Start Southland Feedback Form

    The Government is proposing to change how councils are made up across New Zealand with its Head Start Simplifying Local Government process. All councils across the country have been given the opportunity to develop proposals, so we want to figure out the best solution for Southland. This is a separate process to the one being led by the Local Government Commission, which is in its second phase, narrowing down options which could work for the region.

    Invercargill City Council has decided on a starting position for exploring a Head Start proposal, one unitary council for the Southland regional boundary, but this is open to change. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most and shape the approach that works best for our communities. 


    Share your view on our starting position
    Share Head Start Southland Feedback Form on Facebook Share Head Start Southland Feedback Form on Twitter Share Head Start Southland Feedback Form on Linkedin Email Head Start Southland Feedback Form link
Page last updated: 22 Jun 2026, 01:22 PM