South Waikato Mayor acknowledges Government's Head Start pause

South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley has acknowledged the Government's decision to pause further updates on Head Start proposals until after the 2026 general election.

"While I share the frustration expressed by many of my counterparts across the country, this delay also presents us with an opportunity to look again at the purpose and the vision for all of this, as well as where we can make improvements," Mayor Petley said.

"We entered this process in good faith. A lot of hard work went into it, in the face of extremely tight deadlines.

"We aren't sure what the Government's approach from here will be, but in the meantime, we will continue to engage with them, iwi and other councils in the region, to ensure we are prepared for whatever eventuates.”

South Waikato District Council was part of the Western Waikato Unitary proposal submitted under the Head Start Pathway.