West Coast Amalgamation Plan Wins More Support, As Buller Remains OutsideAugust 05, 2026The West Coast Regional Council has back a proposal for a single unitary authority from Karamea to Haast, even though it will abolish its own council. The West Coast plan for one council will be submitted regardless. Speaking at the regional council meeting yesterday, West Coast local government reform project lead Ashley Stuart told the meeting that despite Buller's indecision, the proposal would be submitted to the Government. Cr Allan Birchfield raised concerns over a unitary authority, citing the size of the West Coast, covering the same distance from Auckland to Wellington, and he withdrew his support for it. In response to Cr Birchfield's comments, Ms Stuart said proving that a unitary council was the correct model for the West Coast could help financially.