Let's talk about Future Waitaki

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What's the future for Waitaki?

Welcome to the Future Waitaki site. Here's where we will host surveys, provide information, and hear your feedback about the future of the Waitaki District.

Simplifying Local Government Reforms

In May 2026 the Government announced the next stage of their Simplifying Local Government Proposals.

Councils have the option to voluntarily develop amalgamation proposals with two or more neighbouring councils within a tight three-month window, or take part in a yet to be determined back stop process.

There is no option for current District, City or Regional Councils to remain as they are. Amalgamation creating new bigger Councils with all the powers of those it replaces, is the future for Waitaki and its communities.

We've provided the Government's Policy document, its guidance for proposals, the Cabinet Papers about this decision, in the side-bar.

What we've done so far

The Mayor, as Chair of the Otago Mayoral Forum, has met with her colleagues across Otago. She has also met individually with our northern neighbours of Waimate, Mackenzie and Timaru, and joined a joint meeting which also included Ashburton.

On 27 May a survey in partnership with the Otago Mayoral Forum, Let's Talk About Local Government Reform, was launched to ask the communities of Waitaki what they thought about reform, and in which direction they saw the future of their community. This survey closed on Sunday 14 June.

What happens next?

We are holding four public meetings and panel discussions around the District;


What's the future for Waitaki?

Welcome to the Future Waitaki site. Here's where we will host surveys, provide information, and hear your feedback about the future of the Waitaki District.

Simplifying Local Government Reforms

In May 2026 the Government announced the next stage of their Simplifying Local Government Proposals.

Councils have the option to voluntarily develop amalgamation proposals with two or more neighbouring councils within a tight three-month window, or take part in a yet to be determined back stop process.

There is no option for current District, City or Regional Councils to remain as they are. Amalgamation creating new bigger Councils with all the powers of those it replaces, is the future for Waitaki and its communities.

We've provided the Government's Policy document, its guidance for proposals, the Cabinet Papers about this decision, in the side-bar.

What we've done so far

The Mayor, as Chair of the Otago Mayoral Forum, has met with her colleagues across Otago. She has also met individually with our northern neighbours of Waimate, Mackenzie and Timaru, and joined a joint meeting which also included Ashburton.

On 27 May a survey in partnership with the Otago Mayoral Forum, Let's Talk About Local Government Reform, was launched to ask the communities of Waitaki what they thought about reform, and in which direction they saw the future of their community. This survey closed on Sunday 14 June.

What happens next?

We are holding four public meetings and panel discussions around the District;


Page last updated: 17 Jun 2026, 04:33 PM