Coast communities invited to discuss the future of local government

From Karamea to Haast, West Coast communities are being invited to help shape the future of local government on the Coast. A series of seven community drop-in sessions begins today as part of the West Coast’s response to the Government’s Head Start reform process.

The sessions will provide an opportunity for residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders to share what matters most to them and help inform the West Coast's response to Government.

West Coast Local Government Reform Project Lead Ashley Stuart said guidance released by the Government on 29 May confirmed a clear direction towards fewer, larger and unitary-style arrangements across New Zealand.

“The Government’s Head Start guidance asks councils to identify reform options that could meet criteria around simpler governance, economies of scale, regional coordination and maintaining local voice,” Ms Stuart said.

"The scenarios in the discussion document are not recommendations or preferred models. They are discussion tools designed to help communities understand the types of arrangements that may fit within the Government's framework, explore the trade-offs involved, and tell us what they think should or should not be considered as we develop the August proposal."

"Importantly, we want Coasters to bring forward their ideas about what could work for the West Coast, including alternative models or local governance arrangements that may meet the Government’s criteria around efficiency, simpler governance, regional coordination and strong local voice”.

"The West Coast has an opportunity to help shape its own future rather than have decisions made through a centrally led process," Ms Stuart said.

“This is only the first phase of community discussions.”

“If Councils agree to submit a West Coast outline proposal to Government by 9 August, that proposal will make it clear any further work on options for the West Coast must include dedicated community engagement, detailed analysis and formal consultation before final decisions are made.

The June and July discussions are the start of the conversation - not the end of it.”

Community Discussion Sessions:

Grey District

Greymouth

Tuesday 9 June

Byte Hub, 1A Guinness Street, Greymouth

4.30pm – 6.30pm

Westland District

• Hokitika

Thursday 11 June

Hokitika Westland RSA, 22 Sewell Street, Hokitika

4.30pm – 6.30pm

• Haast

Thursday 2 July

Hard Antler Bar, Marks Road, Haast

3.00pm – 6.00pm

• Franz Josef

Friday 3 July

Snakebite Brewer, Main Road, Franz Josef

3.00pm – 6.00pm

Buller District

• Karamea

Monday 22 June

Karamea RSA, 100 Bridge Street, Karamea

4.30pm – 7.30pm

• Westport

Tuesday 23 June

Westport Bridge Club, 12a Lyndhurst Street, Westport

4.30pm – 7.30pm

• Reefton

Thursday 25 June

Reefton Cinema, Shiel Street, Reefton

4.30pm – 7.30pm

People can read the discussion document and provide feedback online through the regional engagement hub:

haveyoursay.westcoastcouncils.co.nz

Feedback closes on 6 July 2026.

The future of local government on the Coast is an important conversation, and we encourage everyone to take the opportunity to get involved.

Feedback gathered through the discussion sessions and online engagement hub will help inform the outline proposal West Coast councils intend to submit, subject to council approval, to Government by 9 August.