Whanganui opts out of Head Start pathway ahead of deadline

Whanganui District Council has voted not to submit a proposal on local government reform ahead of the Head Start deadline on Sunday.

It has instead signed a regional Memorandum of Understanding with its neighbours - Rangitīkei and Ruapehu - committing to working proactively towards locally-led reform.

Mayor Andrew Tripe said Whanganui needed more time to consider its options.

"We need robust modelling to help us understand the implications, opportunities and long-term outcomes. That work, alongside continued conversations with our communities and partners, will help shape the next phase of this process," he said.

"For our council, the priority is making sure decisions deliver the best outcomes for Whanganui and the region and we'll continue working constructively with our regional partners while keeping the community involved as the picture becomes clearer."

The government would decide next month which Head Start proposals should move on to a detailed design phase, before final decisions were made in 2027.

Whanganui, meanwhile, would now fall into the group of Back Stop councils for whom reform would begin after the 2028 elections.

Tripe said continuing to work with interested councils didn't predetermine any outcome or limit councils from exploring alternatives.

"What it does do is give us a structured way to continue to work together, build a stronger evidence base and consider different options before any decisions are made."

Tripe said over the past three months, mayors and council chief executives in the region and nearby had met regularly to discuss opportunities and challenges presented by the government's Simplifying Local Government reforms.

The council had also commissioned and considered data and technical analysis, engaged with iwi and hapū partners, and asked the community for its initial thoughts.

"We've had many productive discussions and begun to build up an information base," he said.

"That work has strengthened our understanding of the issues and, in particular, the opportunities. It's shown there's more work to do before any structural changes can be properly considered. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to think bigger than the Head Start pathway to reimagine local government in and for the future."

Tripe said for some councils change was more straightforward because amalgamation discussions were well advanced and Head Start was primarily for those councils.

"But for most, it makes sense to take the time to build a robust evidence base and work carefully through it so we can make the best decision for our communities now and in years to come."

Elected members voted 8-4 to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Deputy Mayor Michael Law and councillors Josh Chandulal-Mackay, Mike Hos and Philippa Baker-Hogan voting against.