What risks were identified in the Regulatory Impact Statement or other Cabinet papers prepared before the Government agreed to the Head Start and Back Stop processes announced in May 2026, if any?

Answer

The Ministry for Regulation determined that the Head Start pathway was exempt from the requirement to provide a regulatory impact statement on the grounds that it had been addressed by existing impact analysis [CAB-25-MIN-0397 refers]. The cabinet paper identified that there would be a number of implications. The proactively released cabinet material can be found on the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport website at the following link: www.mcert.govt.nz/our-work/local-government/local-government-policy/simplifying-local-government/head-start-for-simplifying-local-government.