Councils
Invercargill’s Deputy Mayor Grant Dermody will represent the city council on the Local Democracy Enhancement Working Party.
The ICC decided this afternoon (June 30) to approve principles in guiding the proposal for the Government’s ‘Head Start’ process, alongside the Southland reorganisation process with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ.
The ICC needs to submit a proposal to Government by August 9, which outlines certain principles such as a united voice for Southland, fair representation to support local decision making and a strong local identity.
Council decided in May that it wished to explore developing a Head Start proposal with the Southland regional boundary the starting point.
The Mayor and chief executive wrote to the three other councils and four Papatipu Rūnaka in the region to update them on the decision and provide an invitation for them to participate in this process in the way which works for them.
A report from manager – strategy, policy and engagement Rhiannon Suter said one of the most important elements to consider is a governance structure which will support local representation.
Gore District Council and Environment Southland have chosen to nominate representatives to the working party, considering the form local representation may best take.
An initial first discussion was chaired by Cr Dermody and the group will share its considerations with councils.
Environment Southland has undertaken significant financial modelling which they have made available to other councils in the region.
The report said a range of factors need to be considered including community responsiveness, scale of delivery, financial sustainability and strategic capacity.
Further information on the modelling work will be brought to council in July 2026 ahead of any proposal being finalised.
Council already has significant understanding of the views of the community through the work undertaken by the Local Government Commission, supported by a range of social media posts.
Additional feedback will be sought from the community between June 22 and 12 July 12, 2026.
People will be asked to share their views on what council should consider in developing a proposal which meets the Government’s five assessment criteria.
Invercargill City Council’s starting position for shaping a proposal is one unitary authority for the whole region, although the proposal may end up looking different or council may choose not to submit a proposal at all.
Southland District Council’s initial proposal which prompted the Local Government Commission Southland investigation process is:
Two unitary authorities – one focused on urban areas and one on rural areas.
Gore District Council is exploring five different options, including the ones above, a rural council across Southland and Otago, or not submitting a proposal at all.
A report will be brought to the 27 July 27 2026 council meeting, ahead of any final proposal being brought to an extraordinary council meeting in August 2026 for adoption ahead of being submitted.