Meeting
Hui for Otago - Local Government reform
06 July 2026
Following the July Forum meeting, an online Hui for Otago allowed Otago councillors to hear directly from Ngāi Tahu and Morrison Low on local government reform.
About us
The Otago Mayoral Forum is the key mechanism for local authorities to communicate, coordinate and collaborate in the Otago region. Protocols for this purpose in each region are a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002.
The Forum enables Otago’s Mayors and the Chair of the Otago Regional Council to work together for the benefit of Otago. It meets quarterly to identify shared issues and opportunities, develop collaborative approaches, and review progress and achievements.
The Forum also provides a shared voice to advocate for Otago outside of the region, including with central government.
Sometimes this voice will present an agreed position, and at other times convey the different interests and viewpoints of the Forum’s members.
It’s important to know that decisions of the Forum are not binding on member councils. Forum members may choose to refer regional issues and decisions to their councils for consideration.
The Otago Local Authorities’ Triennial Agreement 2026-29 was ratified in February 2026, and formalises the Forum's role within Otago's cross-council partnership framework.
Who is involved?
The Forum’s members are the region’s five Mayors and the Chair of the Otago Regional Council. Local authority chief executives attend Mayoral Forum meetings to support their Mayor/Chair and to assist the Forum to take forward its decisions and directions.
The Forum is supported by a permanent secretariat hosted by Otago Regional Council. The secretariat also manages and advises the Otago Chief Executives Forum, which meets two to four weeks prior to each Mayoral Forum.
Where relevant, cross-council working groups may be set up under the umbrella of the Forum to progress an issue or opportunity, or simply to share information across Otago’s local authorities.
Latest Updates
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Meeting
Otago Mayoral Forum - July 2026
03 July 2026
The Forum's July meeting in Ōamaru focussed on Local Government reform. The Forum discussed region-wide information prepared and received to date, including the results of community engagement, the Forum's Otago Working Principles, Morrison Low's technical analysis, and mana whenua perspectives.
Media release
Community priorities clear in local government reform survey results
22 June 2026
Affordable rates, quality services and infrastructure, and keeping decisions local were among the top priorities identified by respondents to a survey on local government reform.