Head Start deadline passes, councils need clarity on next steps

As the deadline for Head Start passes, LGNZ is calling for clarity on the next phase.

LGNZ President Rehette Stoltz says whether councils are in or out of Head Start, they need to know what’s happening next and how communities can be part of it.

“Councils across the country have spent the past 90 days in significant discussions about the future shape of local government in their regions,” says Rehette Stoltz.

“Local government needs clarity from the Government on what the process is for those who are not part of Head Start. For the reform to be successful, councils need to play a leadership role, arrangements need to be flexible, and there needs to be genuine input from communities and iwi/Māori.

“We also need some practical and pragmatic changes from Government for those in Head Start. One of the most urgent is relief from representation reviews.”

Many councils are currently required by law to review and consult on how they are represented ahead of the 2028 elections. There’s no point in consultation if they may not exist in their current form after the elections.

Forty-four councils are required to undertake representation reviews before the 2028 local elections. Thirty-one of those councils are either part of Head Start proposals or are regional councils.

"There's little value in asking ratepayers to fund consultations on structures that could soon change. It creates unnecessary costs and takes staff away from other work.

"Collectively, those reviews could cost ratepayers more than $2.5 million.

“We have raised this a number of times with the Government and their response has been that there won’t be any action till at least the end of the year, if at all. This leaves councils in a tough bind.

“Late 2026 or early 2027 is too late for these decisions. Many councils face statutory deadlines for representation reviews in the coming months.

“Councils need certainty now so they can avoid wasting ratepayers’ time and money on unnecessary representation reviews.

"Councils have done the hard work to get to this point. Now, we need the Government to work with local government to make sure the next phase works well for communities,” said Rehette Stoltz.