12/06/2026
Big changes are being talked about for local government in the south and throughout New Zealand.
The Government has opened a fast-track process called Head Start, which gives councils until 9 August to put forward their own ideas for how local government could be reorganised. Mayor Ben Bell explains what it's all about in the video below.
To be clear – no decisions have been made. Before the Council decides whether to put a proposal forward, we want to hear from you on five options:
1️⃣ No Head Start – stay involved in the Local Government Commission's separate review of Southland, and don't submit a proposal
2️⃣ One council for Southland – combine into a single council, with a model built to keep strong local rural representation
3️⃣ Two councils for Southland – one based in Invercargill, one combining Southland and Gore
4️⃣ A rural council across Southland and Otago – Gore joins with Southland, Clutha, Waitaki and Central Otago
5️⃣ Other – got a different idea about how local government should work? We want to hear it
You might hear options 2, 3 and 4 called "unitary authorities". That's just the official term for a council that does both the local jobs (like roads and parks) and the regional ones (like managing rivers and the environment, currently handled by Environment Southland).
From this Monday, you'll find a full rundown on the reorganisation conversation, each option, a feedback form, plus heaps of other useful stuff on our Let's Talk website - lets.talk.goredc.govt.nz
Feedback is open until Monday 13 July. Watch the video, have a think about where you see our future, and have your say. 👇
