35782 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

35782 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: How many councils, if any, have deferred or paused infrastructure investment, borrowing or long-term plan decisions because of uncertainty created by the Head Start process, and what assessment, if any, has he made of the cost of that deferral?

Hon Simon Watts: I have not been made aware of any councils deferring or pausing infrastructure investment, borrowing or long-term plan decisions. Continuity of delivery of services remains important for councils. Councils are not required to make decisions on their LTPs until next year, once Head Start proposals are finalised.