Michael Ford: Manawatu Mayor on local government reforms, council amalgamation

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Aug 10, 2026 · 2m · transcript

A group of North Island councils is working on an alternative proposal to the Government's amalgamation programme.

City and district councils were given until Sunday to pitch plans to create larger combined unitary councils.

Manawatu, Whanganui, Ruapehu, Rangitikei, and Tararua councils have signed a memorandum of understanding to work on an alternative model.

Manawatu Mayor Michael Ford told Ryan Bridge they're looking at a federation model.

That would keep individual mayors for each council but would see a higher body to manage regional issues.

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