Elected members agreed on our response to the Government by majority vote at their meeting on 5 August 2026.
Instead of submitting a formal Head Start proposal, we've sent a joint letter to the Minister of Local Government with Horowhenua District Council. The letter confirms that both councils want to work together and keep exploring what a future unitary council, with regional functions, could look like.
However, it also recognises that more time is needed. We want to work through the evidence and test different options with other neighbouring councils, iwi and the community before making any long-term decisions about what's best for our people.
Read the joint letter to the Minister(PDF, 299KB)
Shaping local government in our region
Council considered community feedback at its meeting on 5 August. Elected members also looked at opportunities identified with potential council partners before responding to the government.
Read a summary of community feedback(PDF, 219KB)
Analysis of the head start pathway options for Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council(PDF, 2MB)
Watch the Council meeting on YouTube
The government has given councils three months to put forward ideas about how local government could work in the future
Councils have been asked to propose ideas on how we might reduce the number of councils. One option the government is interested in is “unitary authorities” — a single council responsible for both regional and local services. This is because the government has announced there will be no more regional councils from October 2028.
If councils do not develop their own proposals, the government may decide what changes happen in our region.
Possible changes could include:
- Palmerston North City Council merging with other councils, or parts of other councils
- More services being shared between councils
- Changes to council boundaries
- Different ways local decisions are made
Future changes could affect things like:
- Rates
- How you are represented
- Community facilities and services
- Infrastructure investment
- Palmerston North’s identity and priorities