‘Tararua Makes Decisions For Tararua’: Council Opposes Head Start ReformsJuly 29, 2026Following a unanimous decision by the Tararua District Council to not submit an amalgamation proposal ahead of the August 9 deadline, its mayor says “sometimes saying no is the right answer”. “Head Start only allows for one conversation; it asks who should amalgamate with whom, it doesn’t ask if amalgamation is actually the best answer”, Gilmore said. Local government needed to change, Gilmore said, however "bigger isn't always better" and Head Start carried "significant risks" for Tararua. Councillor Alison Amboy said community engagement must continue beyond Head Start, with Haines responding that community feedback would remain central to any decisions made moving forward. By August 5, all councils within the Horizons region would have announced their Head Start stance.