On 1 July 2026, Property Council submitted to Tauranga City Council on the Simplifying Local Government consultation.
Why this matters to our members
Central government announced a new “Headstart” pathway for local government reform, giving local authorities across New Zealand until 9 August 2026 to come up with proposals to join up with neighbouring authorities. Tauranga City Council are considering three different options for local government reorganisation. Any councils that decide not to take the Head Start pathway, or cannot agree on a new arrangement, will enter a compulsory amalgamation process after the 2028 local government elections (“Back Stop”).
Our view
Property Council supports local government amalgamation and commends Tauranga City Council for considering options to reorganise under the Head Start pathway. In particular, Property Council supports reorganisation where it can enable efficient infrastructure delivery, integrated planning, economic growth and a consistent regulatory framework for the property sector to navigate. We have developed some principles which our members would like Council to consider in their decision-making process.