Local Government Reforms
Local Government reforms and amalgamation
On 5 May, the Government announced a voluntary process for territorial authorities (like Selwyn) to reform and reorganise before the wider reform of local government and disestablishment of regional councils (ECAN) from 2028. This process is called the Head Start pathway.
Councils can either merge with other neighbouring councils, or become a ‘unitary authority’ by taking on the functions currently delivered by regional councils such as ECAN.
If councils don’t pursue the Head Start pathway, the Government will decide what happens through a compulsory backstop process after the 2028 local government elections.
The purpose is to simplify local government through fewer councils covering larger responsibilities and areas of the country.
From 5-21 June, we asked our community what they think Selwyn should do and what matters most in our '60 seconds for Selwyn' survey. Here’s what you told us across nearly 7,000 responses:
- 46% of responses asked Council to explore both amalgamating with other neighbouring councils, and becoming a Selwyn-based unitary authority*, before making a decision.
- 34% of responses asked Council to only explore becoming a Selwyn-based unitary authority.
- Rural and urban voices were closely aligned in the numbers wanting to explore amalgamation and becoming a Selwyn-based unitary authority AND those who only wanted Council to explore becoming a Selwyn-based unitary authority.
- Responders care deeply about maintaining local identity, keeping decision-making close to home, and ensuring services remain affordable and reliable.
- Concerns about rates, growth pressures, and protecting rural communities were also recurring themes.
*Unitary authorities are organisations that have the functions of both regional councils and territorial authorities (city/district councils). You can read more information on our dedicated FAQ page.
Here’s who told us what they think in the survey:
- The survey had strong participation from working-age ratepayers, predominantly from Rolleston and Lincoln.
- 32% of responses were from people living rurally.
- Communities from Arthur’s Pass to Rakaia Huts had their say on what matters most.
- The survey had a high level of engagement (41% provided written feedback).
What's next?
- Staff will continue analysing the survey results and preparing further detailed advice for Councillors.
- A public Council meeting on 15 July will see staff and Councillors work through the next steps on the Council’s Head Start proposal.
- Councillors will consider this work before confirming a preferred direction in a public meeting on 5 August.
- Councillors and the Mayor will continue to work closely with the Canterbury Mayoral Forum on discussions and the work ahead.
- Any proposal will continue to be shaped by community feedback before being submitted to Government on 7 August, with more community input planned from mid-July in a similar quick, accessible format.
Key documents
- Head Start pathway - read about the government proposals.
- Q&A from Mayor Lydia
60 seconds for Selwyn survey results
There was a total of 6,900 submissions made to our survey. Thanks to all of you who took a moment to submit. Below are the overall results of our survey, along with a breakdown of the choices made by each town across the district.
Which option do you think Selwyn should explore as part of the Government’s Head Start reforms?
If local government structural changes go ahead, which THREE issues would matter most to you for the future of Selwyn?
Themes identified from your written feedback
Breakdown by town/area
Arthur's Pass - 25 submissions (<1%)
12 (48%)
2 (8%)
8 (32%)
3 (12%)
Burnham - 59 submissions (<1%)
6 (10.2%)
24 (40.7%)
24 (40.7%)
5 (8.5%)
Castle Hill - 35 submissions (<1%)
11 (31.4%)
9 (25.7%)
14 (40.0%)
1 (2.9%)
Coalgate - 51 submissions (<1%)
4 (7.8%)
14 (27.5%)
23 (45.1%)
10 (19.6%)
Darfield - 495 submissions (7%)
47 (9.5%)
167 (33.7%)
240 (48.5%)
41 (8.3%)
Doyleston - 44 submissions (<1%)
7 (15.9%)
11 (25.0%)
22 (50.0%)
4 (9.1%)
Dunsandel - 75 submissions (1%)
11 (14.7%)
26 (34.7%)
34 (45.3%)
4 (5.3%)
Glentunnel - 33 submissions (<1%)
4 (12.1%)
8 (24.2%)
20 (60.6%)
1 (3%)
Hororata - 72 submissions (1%)
9 (12.5%)
27 (37.5%)
33 (45.8%)
3 (4.2%)
Kirwee - 168 submissions (2.5%)
16 (9.5%)
68 (40.5%)
69 (41.1%)
15 (8.9%)
Lake Coleridge - 15 submissions (<1%)
2 (13.3%)
4 (26.7%)
9 (60.0%)
0 (0.0%)
Leeston - 279 submissions (4%)
35 (12.5%)
98 (35.1%)
124 (44.4%)
22 (7.9%)
Lincoln - 1134 submissions (16.5%)
172 (15.2%)
344 (30.3%)
568 (50.1%)
50 (4.4%)
Prebbleton - 495 submissions (7%)
94 (19.0%)
152 (30.7%)
222 (44.8%)
27 (5.5%)
Rakaia Huts - 18 submissions (<1%)
1 (5.6%)
5 (27.8%)
11 (61.1%)
1 (5.6%)
Rolleston - 2491 submissions (36%)
304 (12.2%)
872 (35.0%)
1139 (45.7%)
176 (7.1%)
Sheffield - 57 submissions (<1%)
7 (12.3%)
25 (43.9%)
24 (42.1%)
1 (1.8%)
Southbridge - 111 Submissions (1.5%)
12 (10.8%)
47 (42.3%)
43 (38.7%)
9 (8.1%)
Springfield - 51 submissions (<1%)
2 (3.9%)
19 (37.3%)
22 (43.1%)
8 (15.7%)
Springston - 131 submissions (2%)
18 (13.7%)
42 (32.1%)
59 (45.0%)
12 (9.2%)
Tai Tapu - 175 submissions (2.5%)
32 (18.3%)
47 (26.9%)
81 (46.3%)
15 (8.6%)
Waddington - 22 submissions (<1%)
1 (4.5%)
10 (45.5%)
8 (36.4%)
3 (13.6%)
West Melton - 572 submissions (8.5%)
61 (10.7%)
227 (39.7%)
246 (43.0%)
38 (6.6%)
Whitecliffs - 41 submissions (<1%)
5 (12.2%)
13 (31.7%)
20 (48.8%)
3 (7.3%)
Other - 251 submissions (3.5%)
39 (15.5%)
84 (33.5%)
111 (44.2%)
17 (6.8%)
Much of the detail is still emerging and we will keep this site updated as well as regular updates from Mayor Lydia. We will share what we know, when we know it, and be transparent about what is not yet clear.
Our submissions will also be published here, and each section contains links to make your own submissions to central government. Here’s a great explainer on how to make a submission.
Every submission helps build a more complete picture of the issues that matter to Selwyn communities, and your perspective offers a distinct and valuable contribution. Thank you for being part of the conversation.
Timeline of reforms
5-21 June 2026
60 seconds for Selwyn survey
22 June-15 July 2026
Council reviews feedback and takes proposals to neighbouring councils
15 July 2026
Public Council meeting on proposal next steps
5 August 2026
Public Council meeting to confirm preferred direction
7 August 2026
Selwyn submits its Head Start proposal to Government
September 2026
Cabinet agrees proposals in principle
March 2027
Final proposals submitted
May 2027
Cabinet confirms proposals and makes final policy decisions
Late 2027
Cabinet approves legislation
Early 2028
Legislation is enacted
May 2028
Proposal implementation begins
Nominations for local elections
October 2028
Local elections
Regional councillors will be replaced with an interim body (for example, a board of mayors, Crown commissioners, or a combination of both)
Stay in the loop
We will keep this page updated as more information becomes available. Please check back regularly for updates, and don’t hesitate to share your feedback or questions with us.
Follow us on social media for the latest updates.
More information / Resources:
Our thanks to Simpson Grierson News and Insights section which was used as a source for content on the page.
RMA reform:
- https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/resource-management/resource-management-system-reform/
- https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/acts/natural-and-built-environment-act-and-spatial-planning-act/