The Government last week gave councils a timeframe of 90 days to consider reform proposals that would deliver “larger, more efficient unitary authorities that streamline functions, reduce duplication and improve decision-making”.

Thames-Coromandel District Council Mayor Peter Revell says, “As of today we have 87 days to consider how our Council will respond to this challenge.”

Mayor Revell says while he and his colleagues support the moves toward cost savings and efficiencies in local government, and are willing to positively address this timeline, the Council will still ensure there is adequate opportunity for all voices to contribute to any reform proposal that emerges.

On 26 May, at the first Council meeting since the Government’s announcement, a paper on how the Council will approach the reform proposal will be fully discussed in the open agenda.

“In my view, the Government has set a timeframe and as your elected representatives we need to consider all options before us and meet the timeframe asked of us. We are committed to do this in a way that ensures the community is aware of these options. This means community boards and community organisations - such as residents and business associations – will have the opportunity to assist the Council in formulating its response.”

Mayor Revell says even though councils have been advised that they will have the opportunity to consult with communities before final decisions are made by Cabinet in May 2027 – “this is still a very tight timeframe for the people of the Coromandel to contribute to this conversation”.

“We have to be completely open and transparent through this process and are committed to ensuring this happens for the people of our district.

“It is one thing for us to draw some lines on a map with our council neighbours to meet a Government-imposed deadline. But it is quite a different thing to put anything forward as a formal proposal without bringing the Thames-Coromandel community along with us.”

More information on the Government's local government reform proposals is on the Department of Internal Affairs website: https://www.dia.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government

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