Central government is moving fast on local government reform.

It wants fewer councils and has made it clear that regional councils, like Waikato Regional Council, will not continue in their current form after 2028.

City and district councils, like us, have until 9 August 2026 to respond with a proposal for how local government could be reorganised. If we don’t, central government will decide for us.

This matters. It will affect who makes decisions, how our communities are represented, and how services are delivered.

We’ve been given a very short timeframe. So we are focusing on the options that are most likely to meet the Government’s criteria.

But we also want to be clear about what is at stake for Matamata-Piako.

For us, the key issues are local voice, and local decision making, and the risk of our ratepayers carrying costs that do not reflect our district

Option one: Eastern Waikato unitary authority – preferred

A smaller unitary authority that could be made up of Matamata-Piako and any or all of the following neighbouring districts: Hauraki, South Waikato, and Thames-Coromandel.

These are areas like ours, with rural and provincial communities and shared interests.

We already work together.

We work with Hauraki and South Waikato on civil defence. We have partnered with Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel to get better outcomes for services like kerbside collection. We also work across shared river catchments like the Waihou and Piako, and into the Hauraki Gulf.

This option builds on the way we already work together.

It allows shared services without giving up local voice or elected representation. It keeps decision making closer to our communities while still delivering the benefits of working together.

At this stage, this is our preferred option.

Our preference is to also keep decision making close to our communities, with our own Mayor and elected members. This is to maintain a strong local voice, representation, and decision making.

Option two: Waikato-wide unitary authority

A single council covering the whole Waikato region, including Hamilton City and other districts.

This would mean one council and potentially one mayor for the whole region.

The main argument for this model is scale. In theory, it could support region-wide planning, shared services, and stronger organisational capability.

But the trade-offs are significant.

At this scale, local voice is at risk. Decisions would be made further away from our communities, and large urban centres could outweigh the needs of smaller rural districts like ours.

There is no clear evidence a model of this scale would deliver the efficiencies often expected.

Our position

We are in a difficult position. We’d prefer to stay as we are. But that is not an option.

We have been given a short timeframe and a clear direction from Government. If we do not put forward an option, we risk being included in a structure that does not represent our community.

So we are trying to steer the best possible outcome for Matamata-Piako.

At this stage, we think Eastern Waikato is the best way to:

• keep decisions closer to home
• protect local voice and representation
• keep working with councils that are similar to ours and we already work well with
• reflect shared catchments, communities of interest, and common goals

This is an important discussion. We want to make sure we hear clearly from you, before we decide which proposal to put forward to Central Government.

Meeting will start at 5.30pm with a presentation by Mayor Ash, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

Morrrinsville: Monday 22 June, 5.30pm, Morrinsville Events Centre, Ron Ladd Place.

Te Aroha: Wednesday 24 June, 5.30pm, Silver Fern Farms Events Centre, 44 Stanley Avenue.

Matamata: Thursday 25 June, 5.30pm, Te Taurapa Room, Matamata-Piako Civic and Memorial Centre, 11 Tainui Street

• Local Government Reform consultation document (pdf, 1.5mb)

• Central government announcement, councils invited to fast-track local reform

• Simplifying Local Government, full detail and FAQs

• Simplifying Local Government explainer, Local Government New Zealand

• Matamata-Piako Vision and Community Outcomes

You may also be interested in the proposals our neighbouring councils are consulting on:

Thames-Coromandel District Council
Hauraki District Council
South Waikato District Council
Waipa District Council

Waikato District Council
Hamilton City Council
Waipā District Council
Ōtorohanga District Council
Waitomo District Council
Taupō District Council