Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Community invited to discuss the future of local government in Queenstown Lakes
Mayor John Glover and Councillors will host informal drop-in sessions across Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wānaka.
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is inviting the community to join conversations about the future of local government.
Mayor John Glover and Councillors will host informal drop-in sessions across Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wānaka in mid-July. These sessions provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about how QLDC could respond to the requirements of the Simplifying Local Government reform programme, ask questions and share their views.
The sessions will take place at:
Arrowtown Community Centre – Tuesday 14 July, 6.30pm–7.30pm
Wānaka Community Hub – Wednesday 15 July, 6.30pm–7.30pm
Remarkables Primary School, Frankton – Thursday 16 July, 6.30pm–7.30pm.
Mayor John Glover said it was important for residents to be involved in the conversations.
“The government plans to abolish regional councils and wants district councils to amalgamate within regions to form new organisations. Simplification. The drop-in sessions are a chance for you to learn about what we have considered to date and to share your thoughts with us,” said Mayor Glover.
Councils across Aotearoa New Zealand have been given the opportunity to consider future governance arrangements through the Government's voluntary Head Start pathway, which could see local authorities work together to develop proposals for how local government is organised and delivered in the future. Proposals must be submitted by August 2026.
A region-wide survey was undertaken by the Otago Mayoral Forum over June, seeking views on what is most important to people when it comes to local government reform.
The key issues identified at a regional level related to a loss of identity and financial concerns, however at a regional level more than one third of respondents commented with pro-reform sentiment.
For Queenstown Lakes, any future changes could affect how communities are represented, how decisions are made, how services are delivered, and how councils work together across the wider Otago region.
Some early local options are being developed, in collaboration with Otago local authorities, that could be considered as part of a Head Start proposal. These will be discussed at a public Council workshop on 9 July 2026, on display at each of the sessions and available online at Let’s Talk. A recording of the public workshop will be available on Council’s website and YouTube.
The sessions are open to everyone and no registration is required.
People who cannot attend in person can find information and contribute online.
ENDS|KUA MUTU.
Media contact: 03 441 1802
FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri
A recording of the public Council workshop will be made available in the following locations: QLDC YouTube and QLDC Agenda webpage.
About the local government reform
The Government has announced its aim to simplify local government across New Zealand by reducing the number of councils and establishing unitary authorities that would deliver both local and regional council functions.
As part of these reforms, councils have the option to develop and submit their own reorganisation proposals through the Government’s voluntary Head Start pathway. Councils that do not participate may face a compulsory reorganisation process led by central government following the 2028 local elections.
What is Head Start?
Head Start is a voluntary, streamlined process that allows councils to explore and develop local government reorganisation proposals ahead of any compulsory reforms.
The process has two stages:
By August 2026: Two or more councils can submit an outline proposal for a new local government arrangement.
If accepted: Participating councils will work with central government to develop a detailed proposal, with legislation expected in 2027 and any approved changes implemented by May 2028.
No decisions have been made about the future structure of local government in the Queenstown Lakes District, and no proposals have been developed.
If QLDC does not participate in the Head Start process, any future changes to local government arrangements would instead be considered through the compulsory “back stop” process initiated by central government after the 2028 local elections.
Read more information about the Government’s local government reforms and the Head Start pathway on the Department of Internal Affairs website.