The Local Government Commission has ruled out going ahead with plans for a single unitary authority for Northland, that would have seen the region's three district councils and Northland Regional Council amalgamate.
The commission first issued a draft proposal for the establishment of a single unitary council for the whole Northland region in November 2013, after being asked to do so by the Far North District Council the previous year.
The proposal caused widespread consternation across the region and 1894 submissions on the plan were received, with 90.3 per cent opposed to the proposal.
The commission said having worked and liaised with Northland councils - Whangarei, Far North and Kaipara district and Northland regional councils - on shared services projects over the past two years, it has decided not to issue a new draft reorganisation proposal for the region.
After considering the submissions the commission decided it would not proceed with the proposal, but would engage further with the councils to identify another reorganisation proposal. Yesterday's announcement has put an end to the commission pursuing amalgamation further.