Meeting
Otago Mayoral Forum - December 2025
05 December 2025
At its first formal meeting of the new triennium, the Otago Mayoral Forum elected Mayor Melanie Tavendale to the role of Chair and approved a new Otago Local Authorities Triennial Agreement for Councils' consideration. Members discussed the Government's recent reform proposals.
Forum highlights
Otago Mayoral Forum Chair
- Melanie Tavendale, Mayor of Waitaki, was elected to the role of Otago Mayoral Forum Chair.
Local Government reform announcements
- The Forum reflected on the recent Government announcement on local government reform, and its implications for the role and work of the Otago Mayoral Forum in the coming years. Under the Government's proposal, the region's mayors would collectively take on significant new functions.
Triennial Agreement
-
The Otago Local Authorities Triennial Agreement 2026-29 is the foundation document for Otago’s cross-council framework. Members approved the proposed agreement for councils’ ratification in 2026.
Process to develop the Forum’s focus areas
- The proposed triennial agreement envisages that the Otago Mayoral Forum is responsible for confirming regional focus areas and a direction of travel for each. Forum members agreed to receive a 'long list' of possible regional focus areas at their next meeting in March, with meeting papers provided earlier than usual so that input from Councillors can be sought.
Minutes
- Signed minutes for this meeting will be included in the papers for the Forum's next meeting.
