'A giant dating game': Where councils stand as merger deadline looms

The clock is ticking on the Government's amalgamation deadline. Councils have until August 9 to find a merger partner, or have one chosen for them. With two weeks to go, the courtship phase is well and truly over.

In May, the Government gave every council outside Auckland three months to come up with an amalgamation plan or have one imposed on it after the 2028 local elections. The country's largest city was merged under one council in 2010.

Proposals must come from two or more councils representing the majority of residents in the relevant area.

Currently, there are 61 territorial councils, 11 regional councils, and 6 unitary authorities.

Here's where every part of the country stands a fortnight out.

Three of Northland's four councils — Whangārei District, Far North District and Northland Regional Council — have voted for a staged, two-step merger. Whangārei and Kaipara district councils would merge first, becoming a standalone unitary authority alongside a separate Far North unitary authority, before the two combine into a single Northland-wide council at a later date.

Kaipara District Council voted unanimously against joining the plan, with mayor Jonathan Larsen arguing the district's finances and rural character set it apart from its neighbours.

Waikato's amalgamation debate has come down to three councils with three different visions of what "together" should mean.

Hamilton City Council has narrowed its options to three, the largest of which — the "Megatron" model — would combine everything from Thames-Coromandel to Taupō.

Waikato District Council has backed a more contained version: Waikato District and Hamilton City, joined by Ōtorohanga, Waitomo, South Waikato, Waipā and Taupō.

Meanwhile, King Country neighbours Ōtorohanga and Waitomo have gone their own way, putting forward a simple two-council merger of just themselves.

With three competing visions still on the table and no clear consensus, ministers may ultimately have to pick a favourite.

Bay of Plenty has split more or less down the middle. In the west, Western Bay of Plenty District Council has narrowed its options to two: joining Tauranga in a sub-regional unitary authority, or going it alone as an upgraded "Western Bay unitary authority" that takes on regional council functions but stays independent of the city.

In the east, Ōpōtiki, Kawerau and Whakatāne have agreed to sit at the table and explore options together, but are careful to stress that showing up isn't the same as saying yes. Whakatāne has floated three possible models with residents: joining a full Bay of Plenty-wide council, forming a standalone Eastern Bay authority with Ōpōtiki and Kawerau, or combining with Rotorua instead.

Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay District Councils are working towards a joint amalgamation plan, alongside the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, which is due to be disestablished under the reforms.

Wairoa District Council has opted to go it alone, formally resolving not to be incorporated into any wider Hawke's Bay unitary plan. But that option isn't really on the table.

South Taranaki and Stratford have found each other — and made clear New Plymouth isn't invited. Councillors from both districts voted almost unanimously to pursue a joint unitary authority for southern and central Taranaki, leaving the region's biggest player out entirely.

New Plymouth District Council has yet to settle on a position of its own, leaving it on the outer for now while its neighbours plan a future without it.

Not everyone is rushing down the aisle in Manawatū-Whanganui.

Manawatū mayor Michael Ford compared the whole process to "a giant dating game" — one where his district, in his words, risked being "sold off like a bride to some groom without our consent", making a unanimous decision this week not to submit a proposal.

Whanganui looks headed the same way. A council survey found 58% of respondents opposed to amalgamation, and mayor Andrew Tripe has said the district "won't be ready" to submit by August 9.

Palmerston North, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu are all still weighing it up, all set to make decisions on whether they'll submit a proposal in the coming weeks.

Wellington's amalgamation process has hit a speed bump, with Upper Hutt unlikely to back a proposed metro authority with Wellington, Lower Hutt and Porirua.

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little has given tentative support to a merger of the four councils, but said ministers may ultimately decide Upper Hutt's fate regardless of its position. Horowhenua, Wairarapa and Kāpiti councils are considered unlikely to join a Wellington-based proposal.

At the top of the South Island, Nelson wants in and Tasman wants out. Nelson Mayor Nick Smith has thrown his weight behind a single Nelson-Tasman unitary council.

"I firmly believe a merger of the Nelson City and Tasman District councils would be the best outcome for our wider region and its residents," Smith said.

Tasman District Council isn't convinced. The council remains opposed to merging with its neighbour, echoing the outcome of a 2012 referendum in which Tasman voters rejected amalgamation with Nelson — even as Nelson voted in favour at the time.

Grey, Westland and Buller district councils have indicated a willingness to work together on a joint proposal, though the precise shape of any amalgamation has not been confirmed.

Ashburton is having an identity crisis, torn between going it alone, heading south to join Timaru, Waimate, Waitaki and Mackenzie, or heading north into a Mid-North Canterbury option.

Further north, Kaikōura has already chosen Marlborough over North Canterbury. Waimakariri and Hurunui say they respect the call but are keeping the door open if it doesn't pan out — Waimakariri remains committed to its own North Canterbury council, with 90% of its survey backing that option or going solo over joining Christchurch.

And then there's Christchurch City itself, whose neighbours don't seem to want it. Mayor Phil Mauger says the city needs to submit a proposal, but at a recent workshop, surrounding councils made their reluctance to pair up with Christchurch "in no uncertain terms" clear.

Otago's six councils — Dunedin City, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago, Waitaki, Clutha and the Otago Regional Council — are yet to agree on a preferred model. Clutha District Council has said it will ask the government for more time to develop a proposal, with mayor Jock Martin citing concerns about losing rural representation and the need for further work with neighbouring councils. Martin has also floated his own option for a Central Otago-focused unitary authority, excluding Dunedin.

Southland is running two amalgamation-related processes simultaneously.

Southland District, Gore District and Environment Southland councils formally requested a Local Government Commission review of the region's structure in 2024, a process that is continuing alongside the new Head Start timeframe.

Environment Southland has said it's weighing up either a single region-wide council, or two councils split between Invercargill and the rest of the region.