CDC survey submissions on local government reform
Retaining community identities, reviewing costs and possibly leaning towards a separate, rural-focused unitary council has been raised by people who took part in the Clutha District Council’s survey on local government reform.
A total of 214 people participated in the survey that opened on 16 June and closed on 30 June 2026.
Clutha District Mayor Jason (Jock) Martin says the localised survey was an opportunity to gain more insight from communities on topics important to them when considering local government reforms.
Of the submissions received all wards had 11 or more response with Balclutha residents participating the most with 57 responses.
The majority of 57.4% favour a separate rural-focussed amalgamation while 29.7% are in favour of Otago-wide.
In May the Otago Mayoral Forum members, which includes Clutha, agreed to work together on local government reform.
The starting point for the government’s reform is creating a unitary authority within Otago. The Government has also said it will consider more than one unitary authority in a region where the region is large and has more complex issues.
“I want to assure people that when the other four mayors and I set the agenda, I will be advocating for the Clutha District,” Mayor Martin says.
Some sentiment captured in the survey includes that an amalgamation may not guarantee reduced costs while others noted that Clutha District has a small rating base and cannot afford to go it alone.
Others expressed concern rural areas will be underfunded and underrepresented leading to a loss of the district’s overall identity.
The survey results can be found on www.cluthadc.govt.nz/amalgamation as well as FAQs relating to the local government reform, timeline and next steps to be taken.
Background
In November 2025, the Government released a draft proposal for local government reform. All six Otago councils submitted feedback.
On 5 May 2026, the Government announced its intended policy. Two reform pathways were set out, including the “Head Start” for which outline proposals are due by 9 August and the “Backstop” pathway, which will be legislated in 2027 but does not have clear detail yet.
The Otago Mayoral Forum wants to progress work within a timeframe that ensures the Head Start pathway is an option – with proposals due by 9 August.
The Otago Mayoral Forum comprises the Mayors of Waitaki District, Dunedin City, Central Otago District, Queenstown Lakes District, Clutha District and the Chair of Otago Regional Council.
