Wellington councils advance ‘Head Start’ reform plans despite split over mega-merger

Wellington Reporter·NZ Herald·6 Aug, 2026 06:44 AM3 mins to read‌Local government leaders from Wellington City to the Wairarapa are voting on whether to join forces as part of Government-ordered reforms. Photo / Mark MitchellHalf the Wellington region’s councils have backed a mega-merger stretching from the capital to the Wairarapa.But the region remains divided over what its future structure should look like.All eight city and district councils voted this week on whether to join the Government’s “Head Start” reform pathway. Local government