Share The future of local government on FacebookShare The future of local government on TwitterShare The future of local government on LinkedinEmail The future of local government link
Local government in Aotearoa New Zealand is set to change, and we want to understand what matters most to our communities as we start to navigate what the future of Queenstown Lakes District Council might look like.
What’s happening?
The government has announced its requirements to simplify local government. For Queenstown Lakes, this could affect how decisions are made, how services are delivered, and how we work with neighbouring councils in Otago.
Councils have the option of working on their own proposals through the ‘head start’ pathway or waiting for direction from government.
Summary of Head Start
In May this year, the government announced Head Start for Simplifying Local Government - a streamlined, voluntary pathway for councils willing and able to reorganise before the 2028 local body elections.
This pathway enables a two-step process:
Groups of two or more councils prepare and submit an outline proposal by August 2026.
If cabinet accepts the proposal then more detailed design would be progressed for legislation in 2027. Proposals would be implemented by May 2028.
Councils which choose not to progress via Head Start would enter a compulsory backstop process after the 2028 elections. This would involve the Government developing its own proposals for reorganisation.
We’re at an early stage and no local proposals have been developed.
So far we’ve started some early discussions through the Otago Mayoral Forum and been involved in ongoing engagement with central government and regional partners. This involves conversations to explore what future options could look like whether at a regional level, between neighbouring councils, or in smaller groupings where it makes practical sense.
Any proposal must meet the needs and local realities of our unique district.
That’s where you come in. We want to understand:
What’s important to you about local decision-making
How you think councils could work together
What services and representation matter most
Your feedback will help us to understand community priorities and inform future conversations about potential proposals.
How to get involved:
Take part in an online community conversation - use the discussion forum below to let us know what you think. What works well with the current council system, and what would you most like to see improved? Do you think QLDC should progress on the head start pathway?
Complete the regional survey - the feedback provided in this survey will be shared with Mayors across the Otago region. Here's a link to the survey: https://www.otagomayors.org.nz/
Feedback must be received before 14 June 2026.
Local government in Aotearoa New Zealand is set to change, and we want to understand what matters most to our communities as we start to navigate what the future of Queenstown Lakes District Council might look like.
What’s happening?
The government has announced its requirements to simplify local government. For Queenstown Lakes, this could affect how decisions are made, how services are delivered, and how we work with neighbouring councils in Otago.
Councils have the option of working on their own proposals through the ‘head start’ pathway or waiting for direction from government.
Summary of Head Start
In May this year, the government announced Head Start for Simplifying Local Government - a streamlined, voluntary pathway for councils willing and able to reorganise before the 2028 local body elections.
This pathway enables a two-step process:
Groups of two or more councils prepare and submit an outline proposal by August 2026.
If cabinet accepts the proposal then more detailed design would be progressed for legislation in 2027. Proposals would be implemented by May 2028.
Councils which choose not to progress via Head Start would enter a compulsory backstop process after the 2028 elections. This would involve the Government developing its own proposals for reorganisation.
We’re at an early stage and no local proposals have been developed.
So far we’ve started some early discussions through the Otago Mayoral Forum and been involved in ongoing engagement with central government and regional partners. This involves conversations to explore what future options could look like whether at a regional level, between neighbouring councils, or in smaller groupings where it makes practical sense.
Any proposal must meet the needs and local realities of our unique district.
That’s where you come in. We want to understand:
What’s important to you about local decision-making
How you think councils could work together
What services and representation matter most
Your feedback will help us to understand community priorities and inform future conversations about potential proposals.
How to get involved:
Take part in an online community conversation - use the discussion forum below to let us know what you think. What works well with the current council system, and what would you most like to see improved? Do you think QLDC should progress on the head start pathway?
Complete the regional survey - the feedback provided in this survey will be shared with Mayors across the Otago region. Here's a link to the survey: https://www.otagomayors.org.nz/
Share What’s working well (and what’s not)? on FacebookShare What’s working well (and what’s not)? on TwitterShare What’s working well (and what’s not)? on LinkedinEmail What’s working well (and what’s not)? link
