35827 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

35827 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What weight, if any, will he give to a formal statement by a council — such as Ashburton District Council's advice to the Government that 90 days was insufficient to reach consensus — that it will not accept being folded into another council's proposal without its agreement?

Hon Simon Watts: Cabinet agreed that three months was enough time for councils to decide on outline proposals for the Head Start pathway. The need for unanimous council support or a high level of community support has been a barrier to local government reorganisation in the past. Removing the requirement for the unconditional support of all affected local authorities will aid to giving effect to reorganisation through the Head Start pathway.