35829 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

Written Question

Published date: 23 Aug 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	35829 (2026)
Question asked:	10 Aug 2026
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Local Government
Minister replying:	Hon Simon Watts
Answer received:	18 Aug 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_35829_2026
Document guid:	c1478d7e-8a20-44b8-9e01-40a7694ad8f2

35829 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: Why does the Head Start process require only majority support across affected councils rather than unanimous agreement, and how many proposals, if any, have been submitted to him despite one or more affected councils voting against them?

Hon Simon Watts: The Government is currently considering these proposals. I do not intend to provide any additional information beyond what is said in the press release. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-consider-headstart-proposals