Keep Our Democracy:

Keep Our Democracy: 

Have your say on the Amalgamation of Local Councils Now

What are the issues?

Local Government up and down the country have been directed by Central Government
to amalgamate without consultation with their people. Some Councils are giving their
communities a chance to attend public meetings to ask questions and make
submissions. We are facing a major push from government to further centralise power
and decision-making processes away from the communities, people and lives they
directly effect. We need to have a say now if we want to keep our decision-making
authority within our community.

National campaigned on election promises of returning decision making authority to
local communities. If the amalgamations go ahead without safeguards to keep the
authority of local community voices in the places we live, work and do business, the
unique needs of each community risks being lost completely. 

Now is our time to act!

The way in which this entire process is being rolled out is undemocratic. Councils have
been given very little information, short time frames to make decisions and told not to
consult their communities with no clarity on the way forward.

However, some councils have given us the opportunity to have a say. 

Councils have been told that it will all make sense once the proposed changes to the Resource Management Act is released. This is
not a sound decision making process, especially for matters of such National significance.

We have a small window of time to have our say as communities.

 By the 9th of August the Central Government requires a plan from each Council for the amalgamation
process, otherwise they enforce amalgamation into predetermined Unitary Authorities
without come back. We risk losing our local voices completely. Things are moving quickly.

One tact we can take with submissions immediately is to press FULL DISCLOSURE and
EXTEND TIMEFRAMES for DUE PUBLIC CONSULTATION from Central Government on
this issue of such National significance in order for INFORMED, RATIONAL and
EVIDENCE BASED DECISION MAKING PROCESSES or occur.

Here are the Waikato details we have on hand. Please attend the meetings if you can
and make a submission before the close off dates which are only a few days away for
most councils.

For other regions, please check your local council websites for meetings and
submission closing dates and share this information along with the content of this letter
immediately.

Please read on and click on the links below and share this information as urgent action is required now.

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS
The chance to have our community voices heard. Do we want the proposed
changes? How would we like to govern ourselves at the local community level?

1. Visit Council websites through links above get informed on proposed options

2. Attend meetings – see details below

3. Make a submission

a. Waipa submissions close 28th June 2026 12am
b. Matamata-Piako 30th June 2026
c. Check your relevant council submission closing dates asap

4. Within the make the room for “Other Options” and press for Council to represent the community’s voice requiring FULL DISCLOSURE and EXTENDED TIMEFRAMES for DUE PUBLIC CONSULTATION from Central Government on this issue of great National significance in order for INFORMED, RATIONAL and EVIDENCE BASED DECISION MAKING PROCESSES to occur.

5. Contact your local MP. Express the above and/or something to the effect of
“Having been a strong (National/Labour) supporter all my life and voting for you, I now have to reconsider my support, due to the undemocratic way in which the plan to streamline local bodies and hence privatise water through CCOs is being rushed through government.

In general I understand the need for local body reform, but the unseemly haste and lack of public consultation seems to be very
undemocratic. This is not what I voted for.

Remember you can make your own suggestions beyond the proposed options by
handing in paper form or adding extra comments in online forms, or emailing and
speaking to our MPs. We have local authority and the power to choose if we act now.
You can attend any and all of these meetings.

Waipa
Let’s Talk Waipā | Details on Proposed Plans
Waipa Public Information Meeting Te Awamutu 10am – 2pm 27th June
(13) Community pop-up: Pirongia Monthly Market | Facebook

Matamata-Piako
Local Government change is coming
Final public meeting tonight 25th June, 5.30pm
Matamata-Piako Civic and Memorial Centre, 11 Tainui Street

Waikato District
Meeting dates and ways to take part
• Thursday 25 June
Te Kowhai Community Head Start Session
Te Kowhai Hall, 612 Horotiu Road, Burbush, Te Kowhai 3288
25 June 2026, 05:00 pm – 06:00 pm
• Thursday 25 June

Meremere Community Committee Meeting
Meremere Community Centre, 21 Heather Green Avenue, Meremere
25 June 2026, 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm
• Friday 26 June

Pokeno Hall Committee
Pokeno Community Hall, Cnr Market & Great South Road, Pokeno
26 June 2026, 05:00 pm – 06:00 pm
• Sunday 28th June

Newstead Community Meeting
Hamilton Car Club, 116 Vaile Road, Newstead
28 June 2026, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Sunday 28 June

Raglan Community Meeting
Supper Room, Raglan Town Hall, 14 Bow Street, Raglan
28 June 2026, 02:00 pm – 04:00 pm
• Tuesday 30 June

Huntly Community Head Start Session
Huntly Riverside Rooms (Civic Centre), Main Street, Huntly
30 June 2026, 06:00 pm – 07:00 pm
• Tuesday 30 June

Pokeno Community Head Start Session
Pokeno Hall, 69 Great South Road, Pokeno
30 June 2026, 07:00 pm – 08:00 pm
• Wed 01 July

Tauwhare Community Meeting
Tauwhare War Memorial Hall, 1153 Tauwhare Road, Tauwhare
1 July 2026, 07:30 pm – 08:30 pm
• Thursday 02 July

Gordonton District Committee Meeting
1024 Gordonton Road, Gordonton
2 July 2026, 07:00 pm – 08:00 pm
• Friday 03 July – 3 July 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuurangawaewae Marae hui
Tuurangawaewae Marae, 29 River Road, Ngaruawaahia
• Sunday 05 July

Eureka Community Meeting
Eureka Hall, Hunter Road, Eureka
5 July 2026, 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm
• Monday 06 July

Whitikahu Community Head Start Session
Whitikahu Hall, Whitikahu
6 July 2026, 07:30 pm – 08:30 pm
• Tue 07 July

Karioitahi Hall Committee Meeting
Karioitahi Hall, 19 Binns Road, Karioitahi
7 July 2026, 07:00 pm – 08:00 pm

Please share this far and wide. Get involved.
This is an election year. It’s time for the people to have their say!