Staged path to single Northland council emerges as preferred option

This is a joint media release from the four Northland councils.

A steering group of elected members from across all four Northland councils has recommended a preferred option for a new local government structure in the region – a staged transition beginning with two unitary authorities, moving to a single Northland-wide unitary authority over time.

Each council will now make its own decision on whether to support it, with meetings taking place during the week beginning 13 July.

If councils and Government agree to this option, all four councils could be folded into two unitary authorities ahead of the 2028 local elections. A future transition to a single unitary authority could potentially align with local government election cycles.

A unitary authority combines the functions of a regional council and district councils into a single organisation. Under the staged transition model, Northland would initially establish two unitary authorities. Some regional council functions that require a Northland-wide approach – such as civil defence, catchment management, and regional planning – could be delivered through a shared regional entity jointly governed by both unitary authorities. Which councils would combine and which would stand alone has not yet been determined.

The preferred option was identified through the Government's Head Start pathway, which gives councils the opportunity to develop locally-led proposals for the future of local government in the region, rather than having change directed by Government after the 2028 local elections. It is an initial position, and much of the detail is still to be worked through.

The Simplifying Local Government for Northland Survey and Community Feedback Report – published today on all four council websites – helped give direction to the steering group's decision. The report drew on responses from more than 2,300 Northland residents who shared their views through council surveys in May and June, one of the strongest community response rates seen in the region for a local government engagement exercise of this kind.

Simplifying Local Government for Northland - Survey and Community Feedback Report

An independent analysis by Morrison Low Advisory examined four structural options for Northland's local government, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Comparison of Head Start Options

Mayor of Whangarei and Chair of the Elected Member Steering Group Ken Couper said his council members on the steering group support the staged model and can see the benefits of taking time to work with communities across the region.

"I believe a single unitary authority sits best with the direction the Government has given us through the Head Start programme. The staged approach gives us the best chance to develop a ‘for Northland by Northland’ approach by giving us the ability to slow down, do this properly, and give our communities as much opportunity as possible to move with us," Mayor Couper said.

Chair of Northland Regional Council Pita Tipene said his council's preference was for a single unitary authority.

"This is about Taitokerau standing on its own mana and shaping our own future, rather than having change directed to us from Wellington. With our four Northland councils seeking to honour the aspirations of our many communities across the region, these have not always been easy conversations, but we have an obligation to provide strong leadership and set a strategic – albeit conceptual – pathway forward," Chair Pita said.

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania acknowledged that over half of Far North survey respondents expressed a preference for their council to stand alone, and said it is now for the council to carefully consider whether a staged transition can still deliver what their community wants.

"Our hapori have spoken clearly about what matters to them – protecting the voices of the Far North, including local and Māori representation, affordable rates, reliable services, and making sure smaller and rural communities are not left behind in any changes. Far North District Council will now need to carefully consider whether this model meets the needs of our people and what they care about before we vote," Mayor Tepania said.

Mayor of Kaipara Jonathan Larsen said Kaipara's members on the steering group did not support the staged option.

“Our community has given us a strong sense of what matters to them. We will now take the steering group recommendation to our full council for consideration," Mayor Larsen said.

Both the Simplifying Local Government for Northland Survey and Community Feedback Report and the Northland Option Comparison Report by Morrison Low Advisory are now available on all four council websites.

About the survey

More than 2,300 Northland residents responded to surveys run by the four councils in May and June. Top-level findings include: