A draft proposal for a unitary authority across Waihou, Piako and Coromandel has been included in the agenda papers for upcoming meetings of Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako district councils.

The proposal has been developed as part of the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation Headstart programme and assessed against criteria provided by central government. It follows a series of community surveys and cross-council workshops exploring options for the future delivery of local government across the area.

It would bring regional and district council responsibilities together within one authority for the proposed area.

Staff are recommending that each council approve the proposal for submission to the Government. The decision rests with elected members, who will consider the recommendation separately.  

No council decision has yet been made, with Matamata-Piako District Mayor and Councillors considering the proposal on 4 August 2026 at an extraordinary meeting of council.

The councils will comment further once elected members have considered the proposal.