Government pauses Head Start local government reforms

Published on 24 September 2026

Today the Ministers of Local Government and RMA Reform let us know there would be no immediate decision about the ‘Head Start’ proposal Thames-Coromandel District submitted jointly with Hauraki and Matamata-Piako districts for local government amalgamation.

No council has been selected or ruled out of the Head Start process at this stage, Ministers Simon Watts and Chris Bishop said, and all proposals (including ours) are on hold until after the election.

While this makes the timeframe less clear, we know amalgamation of some sort will be a reality for all of local government. We will continue to work in the best interests of the people of Thames-Coromandel District and will keep advocating for our people.

Meanwhile, all Council services and activities carry on as usual. If and when anything changes, we will let you know, and we will share information on how you can have your say on what comes next. 

(Photo caption: Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams, Thames-Coromandel Mayor Peter Revell and Matamata-Piako Mayor Ash Tanner sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the three councils' joint Head Start proposal, on 4 August 2026)