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A staged transition towards a single Northland-wide unitary authority has emerged as the preferred option for local government reform in the region, with a steering group from across all four Northland councils recommending the process begin with two unitary authorities before eventually moving to one.
Kaipara District Council, Whangārei District Council, Far North District Council and Northland Regional 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 and district council into a single organisation.
Under the proposal, Northland would initially have two unitary authorities, with some region-wide services jointly managed by both. Which councils would merge has yet to be determined.
The preferred option was developed through the Government’s Head Start pathway, allowing councils to shape local government reform rather than having changes imposed after the 2028 local elections. It remains an initial proposal, with significant detail yet to be worked through.
The steering group’s recommendation was informed by the Simplifying Local Government for Northland Survey and Community Feedback Report, which drew on feedback from more than 2,300 residents who responded to council surveys in May and June—one of the region’s strongest response rates for a local government consultation.
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,” he said.
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.”
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.”
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.”
