Council Amalgamation Update
Progress
While there is little new information to share since the last update, discussions between neighbouring Mayors and Chief Executives are continuing. Councils are still working to confirm their preferred amalgamation partners, with decisions expected in the coming weeks. Our Council is expected to make its decision later in July.
Amalgamation maps
Maps showing the four amalgamation options Council is considering are now available on Council’s website. (See link in comments.)
The options are South Canterbury; Mid-South Canterbury; South Canterbury & North Otago; and Mid-South Canterbury & North Otago. The document shows proposed boundaries, population, land area, and high-level financial information to help compare each option.
Consultation
You may have seen other councils consulting their communities and wondered why Council is not doing the same.
Council does not want to rush consultation on such an important issue. At this stage, there are no confirmed partner councils, proposed boundaries, or detailed information about what different arrangements could mean for services, representation, infrastructure, or rates. When consultation happens, Council wants the community to be able to comment on meaningful options.
Council has already shared information about the Head Start pathway and the guiding principles it will use when considering any potential change. These principles are intended to protect the interests of the Waimate District and ensure any proposal is considered carefully, transparently, and with the community in mind.
If a Head Start proposal is accepted by the Government, full community consultation will take place during the detailed design phase in early 2027.
While formal consultation will come later, Council still welcomes your feedback at this stage. If you have any thoughts, concerns, ideas or preferences about which councils we should partner with, please share them with us by 4pm on Thursday 16 July. You can email us at comms@waimatedc.govt.nz or contact us through our Facebook page. Comments received will be presented to the elected members to assist with their decision-making later this month.
For more information, click HERE.
