Taranaki councils split on how to reform local government

Four Taranaki councils disagree on how to reorganise local government. South Taranaki and Stratford want two merged councils handling all local and regional work. New Plymouth and Taranaki Regional Council will propose ideas without picking one option. All proposals are due to government by 9 August 2025. Sending proposals changes nothing — any real shake-up needs new law or a formal review.