Central Government is nudging local councils up and down the country
to merge operations. But some are suggesting that the Auckland-style
monolithic ?supercity? model may not be the best option for everybody:
how about forming a ?federation? of councils in particular regions,
where they agree to share some operations, but keep others distinct?

<https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/local-government-amalgamation-ruapehu-mayor-weston-kirton-backs-federation-model-as-head-start-deadline-looms/DU7SGQQKKZFGXCAR4ECCOVLMEM/>

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.17
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:31:09 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D?Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

Central Government is nudging local councils up and down the country
to merge operations. But some are suggesting that the Auckland-style >monolithic ?supercity? model may not be the best option for everybody:
how about forming a ?federation? of councils in particular regions,
where they agree to share some operations, but keep others distinct?

<https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/local-government-amalgamation-ruapehu-mayor-weston-kirton-backs-federation-model-as-head-start-deadline-looms/DU7SGQQKKZFGXCAR4ECCOVLMEM/>

Under Headstart each council has an opportunity to get together with
other nearby councils and put together an amalgamation proposal. I am
sure that those who want it could use a 'Federation' approach, or any
other approach.

Auckland Council is not a model IMHO - the scale was too big. In my
neck of the woods in Northland, all councils north of Auckland will be
merged into one serving a combined population of around 200,000.
That's is a vastly different proposition compared to Auckland Council
with 1.7 million people.


--
Crash McBash

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.17
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:31:09 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D?Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

Central Government is nudging local councils up and down the country
to merge operations. But some are suggesting that the Auckland-style >monolithic ?supercity? model may not be the best option for everybody:
how about forming a ?federation? of councils in particular regions,
where they agree to share some operations, but keep others distinct?

<https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/local-government-amalgamation-ruapehu-mayor-weston-kirton-backs-federation-model-as-head-start-deadline-looms/DU7SGQQKKZFGXCAR4ECCOVLMEM/>

The Auckland council has been an unprecedented disaster.

The more power is concentrated, the worse it gets.

Bill.

--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.17
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

BR wrote:

The Auckland council has been an unprecedented disaster.
The more power is concentrated, the worse it gets.
Bill.

The Auckland Council is a product of the Fifth National Government.

The Fifth National Government gave ACT member Rodney Hide the job of
driving it through. Rodney was backstabbed by his own ACT party six
months after the Auckland Council was established. The leadership
challenge said his brand was now "toxic".


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.17
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On Sat, 20 Jun 2026 07:39:37 GMT, wn@nosuch.com (Willy Nilly) wrote:

Small councils have already been sharing their engineering talents
around, but this sudden order to consolidate was a bit of a shock.
I've not heard much resistance, though. Maybe the writing was already
on the wall.

The writing is on the wall. Councils have been told to put forward amalgamation plans with other councils that are part of an existing
regional council. If they don't, the Government will create a plan
for them. Retaining the status quo is not an available option.


--
Crash McBash

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.17
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2026-06-19, Crash <nogood@dontbother.invalid> wrote:

On Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:31:09 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D?Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

Central Government is nudging local councils up and down the country
to merge operations. But some are suggesting that the Auckland-style >>monolithic ?supercity? model may not be the best option for everybody:
how about forming a ?federation? of councils in particular regions,
where they agree to share some operations, but keep others distinct?

<https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/local-government-amalgamation-ruapehu-mayor-weston-kirton-backs-federation-model-as-head-start-deadline-looms/DU7SGQQKKZFGXCAR4ECCOVLMEM/>

Under Headstart each council has an opportunity to get together with
other nearby councils and put together an amalgamation proposal. I am
sure that those who want it could use a 'Federation' approach, or any
other approach.

Auckland Council is not a model IMHO - the scale was too big. In my
neck of the woods in Northland, all councils north of Auckland will be
merged into one serving a combined population of around 200,000.
That's is a vastly different proposition compared to Auckland Council
with 1.7 million people.

It is not only the population size it is also the area, and to some extent
the the number of small towns in the super sized areas.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.17
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)