Upper Hutt City Council has resolved not to be part of the Wellington region’s Head Start proposal for local government reform.

At its meeting on Wednesday 5 August, Councillors considered the Head Start proposal alongside supporting high-level financial analysis and community feedback before voting for Upper Hutt not to be included in the regional proposal.

Head Start is the Government’s pathway for councils to work together to develop and submit their own proposal for local government reform. The Government has indicated that councils that do not participate in Head Start may instead be subject to Government-led reorganisation through the proposed Backstop process after the 2028 local elections.

The regional Head Start proposal is due to be submitted to the Government by 9 August. Cabinet will then decide in late September whether it meets a range of criteria, including whether it supports the Government’s new planning system, simplifies governance, achieves economies of scale, and provides fair and effective local representation.

Mayor Peri Zee says Upper Hutt residents deserve to have their voices heard and represented. And Council already delivers highly efficient and effective services and projects to the local community.

 “Our decision yesterday was not about opposing local government reform, but assessing the costs, benefits and risks for our communities’ best interests. Mayor Zee said Council’s biggest concerns were protecting Upper Hutt’s local voice and affordability.

“Upper Hutt has the lowest average residential rates in the Wellington metropolitan region. That’s something we’ve worked hard to achieve while still investing in the infrastructure and facilities our community needs.

“And while the proposal includes community councils, at this high-level stage it is hard to see in the proposal how local voice will be retained. Councillors were concerned it would not provide the same level of local representation, influence and accountability that our residents have today.”

In the end, Councillors were not satisfied there was enough evidence that the current proposal would protect our financial position, relatively low rates or deliver better value for Upper Hutt ratepayers, she says.

Mayor Zee says the Government has made it clear that local government reform is coming, but it is the job of Upper Hutt councillors to make sure any changes are right for the local community.

“After carefully considering the information available, councillors were not convinced this proposal would deliver a better outcome for Upper Hutt.”

It will be ultimately up to the Government to determine the next steps in the reform process. Mayor Zee says Upper Hutt City Council would continue to engage constructively as the Government’s reform programme progresses and the Council is hopeful that backstop will be a collaborative process with appropriate community involvement.

“This decision doesn’t mean we’re stepping away from the conversation. It means we’re advocating for our community.”

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

07/08/26