Council amalgamation deadline passes; non-participants face government-imposed restructuring

The deadline for councils to submit voluntary Head Start amalgamation plans passed on 9 August. Councils that did not submit will have restructuring imposed under the Back Stop process. Officials will assess submitted proposals for realism and value to ratepayers. Approved plans and Back Stop arrangements are expected to be finalised in 2027, with changes taking effect from the 2028 local elections.