Mayor Toby Adams
As central government advances its nationwide local government reform, councils across the country are being asked to rethink how services, representation, and regional responsibilities will be restructured in the years ahead. The Informer spoke with Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams (Friday 5 June), whose Hauraki District borders Thames-Coromandel and shares many community, economic, and environmental connections.
Mayor Adams says the goal is simple: give people a head start, give them options, and give them a voice.
That is exactly what he has done as their survey had gone out with four options for Hauraki Plains residents to consider (see shaded box).
The four options sent to Hauraki District residents
1. Eastern Waikato Unitary Authority:
Merging Hauraki with Matamata-Piako, South Waikato, and Thames-Coromandel districts. This option combines local councils into a single unitary authority that handles both district and regional responsibilities, sharing services like kerbside collection and civil defence.
2. Provincial Unitary
Authority:
A broader expansion of the Eastern Waikato model. This would merge the aforementioned districts with Taupō, Waipa, Ōtorohanga, and Waitomo to create a larger, cohesive provincial council.
3. Waikato-Wide Unitary Authority:
A massive “mega-council” amalgamating all district, city, and regional councils across the entire Waikato region into a single entity.
It has been reported that Hauraki and Matamata-Piako have already said they did not want to be a part of that.
4. No change:
Keeping the status quo.
Why Hauraki Moved Early
“We wanted to make sure we are part of the heads up. So as a council, we’ve come up with four options. With this, people can make a more informed response, and with their responses we’ll be able to design what our more detailed preferences for the future should be.”
He emphasises that the reform timeline set by central government is extremely tight. Getting options out early, he says, is essential to ensuring communities are not left behind. “The head start is important. With our preferences out there, we believe we can meet the objectives set by central government.
Understanding Local Identity and Catchments
A key part of Hauraki’s approach has been recognising how communities naturally connect.
“Our community knows where its catchment areas are, and that helps them respond to the survey. We have a strong affiliation with Waikato. We haven’t worked closely with Western Bay of Plenty, so they’re not part of the options.”
He notes that Thames–Coromandel District Council (TCDC) is Hauraki’s closest neighbour, and that Hauraki has already reached out to them.
”They (TCDC) are yet to offer their people some options. We share catchments, and they’re included in our preferences. We’re happy to work with anybody who shares our common interests and alignments. We’re more rural and developing than urban and industrial.”
The Role of Regional Councils
One of the biggest unknowns in the reform is how regional councils – such as the role of Waikato Regional Council (WRC) – will fit into the new structure.
“We know what WRC does in our region, and now we need to work out what their role will be going forward. Flood protection is very important for Hauraki. We rely heavily on it, and WRC does a lot of work in that space. We may have to partner up in terms of flood protection, but that’s ahead of us.”
Community Concerns and the Need for Connection
Across the district Mayor Toby says people are feeling uncertain.
“There’s a level of anxiety. People ask what is going to happen and what it will look like. I get those questions from other districts too.
“In some ways it doesn’t matter who does the detail – it’s the value of feeling connected to the process, feeling informed, and being able to have a say.
“The overarching question is: What will local democracy look like?”
Representation: Why Hauraki prefers its current system
Hauraki District no longer has Community Boards, and Adams is clear that Hauraki does not intend to bring them back under the new reform.
“Community Boards disbanded themselves in 1989, before my time. We have 13 ward based councillors – four from the Hauraki Plains, three from Paeroa, four from Waihi, and two Māori councillors. These councillors set budgets, and the decisions are made at council by these elected people who actually live in the wards affected.”
Mayor Toby believes this structure keeps decision making close to the people.
“There’s no second level of bureaucracy. Different wards have different needs at different times.
“With Community Boards, people aren’t as connected to the actual councillors. Our system gets decisions made more easily. There’s no mention of Community Boards in our preferences – we’d rather empower councillors to make decisions on behalf of their communities. I am speaking for Hauraki District.”
One recurring question is whether Waihi Beach – currently part of Western Bay of Plenty – might return to Hauraki.
“Waihi Beach has made an approach to Hauraki a number of times asking if they could come back.
“We would welcome them, but we don’t intend to split up different parts of our communities. It can be considered in options, and we welcome anyone who wants to work with us.”
Streamlining governance and national consistency
Adams says he hopes the reform will reduce duplication and create clearer national standards.
“If we can eliminate some of that governance layer, it would really help better decision making. I’d also like central government to set national direction across regional councils. If you want a resource consent for a house in Hauraki, it should be the same process in the South Island. That saves layers of infrastructure and bureaucracy.”
He remains cautious about long term affordability. “I’m not yet convinced our rates can be sustained without rising, but with the right economy of scale, I believe they can be better managed.”
Water services and the scale question
Water remains one of the most contentious parts of the reform.
“I think this government wanted fewer water entities than they’ve got. But in terms of doing water well, I don’t think we have to partner with everyone going forward.”
A Call for Strong Public Participation
Above all, Adams wants residents to take part.
“A 70% response to the survey would give us a very big steer. I know people are busy, but this is a huge issue. It’s as big as a change of government-and perhaps more long lasting.”
Developments since 5 June:
On Friday, 12 June, Mayor Peter Revell presented this pitch to Bay of Plenty Regional Council leadership and several other councils including Tauranga and Opotiki, even before the survey results had been gathered up from TCDC residents.
“The reality is we think we, more than anywhere else in the Waikato region, are a genuine option to be viewed as part of the Bay of Plenty.”
TCDC Mayor highlighted two scenarios – A “greater Bay of Plenty” option that includes current Bay of Plenty districts but not Taupo. The second was a “coastal option” stretching from the top of the Coromandel down to the Bay’s most eastern point. Both options would also include the coastal part of the Hauraki District.
Hauraki Mayor Toby Adams had this to say to The Informer.
“I don’t have a view on TCDC’s option. I am not their Mayor; but we are not interested in having a conversation that splits up our community in any shape or form.”
◾️Compare these options with those that have been sent out by TCDC – see page 13.
