Hurunui Enters Head Start To Create New North Canterbury Unitary

Hurunui District Council has voted to work in partnership with Waimakariri District Council to create a new North Canterbury unitary authority as part of its Simplifying Local Government Head Start proposal.

Councillors voted in favour of the partnership at an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday 6 August, with the new body taking on the responsibilities of both districts and existing Environment Canterbury functions.

This proposed North Canterbury unitary authority would also have the flexibility to include Kaikōura District Council in the future, should local circumstances and community preferences support this.

Community feedback from over 1,250 Hurunui residents in a recent sentiment survey supported this decision, with:

• 97% of respondents indicating they would like Hurunui to be part of the Head Start process.
• 84% ranking a North Canterbury unitary as a first-choice amalgamation option.

Hurunui District Council Mayor Marie Black said of the decision “As our communities grow and evolve, we welcome the opportunity to shape a future governance model that reflects who we are, what we value, and how we want to serve future generations.”

Waimakariri District Council endorsed the North Canterbury Unitary proposal on Wednesday 6 August, with the feedback from both councils reflecting the desirability of the North Canterbury option and the proposal meeting the criteria of the government reform.

Councils across the country have until Sunday 9 August to lodge their proposals with central government or face being placed into the Backstop process which means having amalgamation plans imposed upon them.

Mayor Black summed up the process by saying, “While there is plenty to work through in the coming weeks and months, we know we have a mandate from our community to deliver an organisation that retains our local voice and supports the growth and success of our shared communities.

Central Government is anticipated to make decisions on whether they support Head Start proposals in September.