Local government reorganisation
Southland is currently involved in two separate processes looking at the future of local government in the region: the independent Local Government Commission investigation and the Government’s Head Start pathway.
Both processes are examining whether current council structures remain fit for purpose and how local government can best meet future challenges and opportunities for Southland communities.
While the two processes are separate and operate under different frameworks, both are focused on ensuring Southland is well-positioned for the future.
Share your thoughts
We're seeking the Southland community's feedback as we prepare to submit a Head Start proposal. Take our survey to share your views below or continue reading to learn more about the Head Start process.
What does this mean for Invercargill?
If you live in Invercargill the results of this process could impact how your local services and infrastructure like roading, water, and environmental regulation are delivered.
It may also impact how local representation would be provided for, how rates are managed and how decision-making is structured across Southland.
Invercargill City Council is continuing to operate as normal while these processes are underway. Council services, projects and day-to-day operations remain unchanged.
Have your say
Community input is an important part of the process. Southlanders will continue to have opportunities to share their views through engagement as the investigation progresses.
We will continue to share all opportunities for engagements and submissions on our News page, on social media or on Let's Talk.
Two pathways to reorganisation
| Local Government Commission | Head Start process |
|---|---|
| Independent commission-led | Council-led |
| Statutory investigation | Voluntary |
| Formal legislative process | Government prompted, fast-track process |
| Commission develops recommendations under legislation | Government decides whether to progress a proposal |
| Key dates: Community engagement: 27 July - 6 August, 2026 | Key dates: Proposal deadline: 9 August, 2026 |
Local Government Commission - Southland reorganisation
The Local Government Commission is currently undertaking a formal investigation into possible changes to local government arrangements in Southland. Invercargill City Council is involved in the process because the Local Government Commission has decided to investigate potential changes to Southland's local government arrangements, and any council that could be affected has a role in providing information and helping assess the impacts on its communities. This process is legislated under the Local Government Act 2002.
This process began after Southland District Council lodged a formal reorganisation proposal with the Commission in February 2025. The proposal originally sought a two-unitary-authority model for Southland. Invercargill City Council backs a single unitary authority model.
The Local Government Commission decided to move forward with an investigation in July 2025 because it was satisfied that the proposal met the legal threshold for further consideration and that there was a reasonable possibility that reorganisation could better promote the good local government outcomes set out in the Local Government Act. The investigation is not the same as approving reorganisation. It simply means there is enough merit in the issues raised to warrant a closer look.
The Commission identified several reasons why an investigation was justified:
- There were credible arguments that Southland's current local government arrangements may not be the most effective way to meet future challenges.
- The proposal raised questions about whether governance, planning, service delivery and environmental management could be improved through different structures.
- There was potential to reduce duplication and improve coordination across the region.
- The issues involved were significant enough that they should be tested through detailed analysis rather than dismissed without investigation.
- The Commission considered that a full investigation would allow costs, benefits, risks and impacts to be independently assessed.
- The investigation would also allow alternative options to be examined, rather than focusing solely on the model proposed by Southland District Council.
The Commission has completed Phase 1 of its investigation and has agreed to continue into Phase 2.
As part of this next phase of work, the Commission will be undertaking community engagement across Southland from 27 July to 6 August 2026. These sessions will provide an opportunity for communities to learn more about the investigation and share their views with the Commission.
As part of the investigation, the Commission is gathering information, engaging with councils, iwi, stakeholders and communities, and assessing possible governance models for the region. No final decisions have been made.
If the Commission develops a draft reorganisation proposal, there will be further opportunities for public feedback, submissions and hearings before any final recommendation is made.
The Local Government Commission process is independent and operates under existing legislation and statutory requirements.
Head Start
In May 2026, the Government announced a new Head Start pathway as part of its wider Simplifying Local Government reforms.
The Head Start pathway gives councils the opportunity to proactively develop and submit their own proposals for future local government structures before broader nationwide reforms are introduced after 2028.
From 5 May, councils were given three months to work together on outline proposals for possible new governance arrangements, including potential unitary authority models that combine regional and territorial council functions.
The Government has said the purpose of Head Start is to:
- simplify local governance
- reduce duplication and improve efficiency
- support more coordinated regional planning and infrastructure delivery
- achieve greater economies of scale
- maintain effective local representation and community voice
Councils participating in Head Start are responsible for developing proposals that reflect local needs and priorities. Any proposal submitted will be assessed by central government against criteria including deliverability, governance efficiency, representation, and support for future planning systems.
In Southland, councils are currently discussing possible options and governance models as part of this process.
How Head Start relates to the Local Government Commission process
The Head Start pathway is separate from the Local Government Commission investigation already underway in Southland.
The Local Government Commission process is legislated under the Local Government Act, meaning Invercargill City Council must be involved in the investigation. The Head Start pathway is an optional process put forth by central government for councils to propose their own regional amalgamations and unitary authorities.
However, both processes are focused on examining how local government could best serve Southland communities in the future.
