Bay of Plenty mayors and committee chairs are calling for an independent study of the amalgamation prospects for the Bay of Plenty region.

An agreement was reached at yesterday's triennial conference in Rotorua for the region's mayors to work together on a research project to understand the opportunities that exist in the areas of improved services, cost efficiencies and economic growth.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says research needs to be done to see what the future opportunities are.

'We emphasised retaining local leadership and community participation are essential principles that need to be retained in the future,” says Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby following the meeting.

'That says in a nutshell that one, we are working together okay now, and we need to get some research done to see what future opportunities are available. It's not jumping in to any conclusion. It will be evidence based research.”

BOP regional authorities are already involved in sharing services through Bay of Plenty Local Authority Shared Services, and organisation that includes Gisborne.

Other border areas that may also be involved in amalgamation talks in future include the Waikato and Taupo.

'It gives us the ammunition to have some evidence based research if somebody comes out of the woodwork and gives the local government commission a proposal,” says Stuart.

'Areas around us are considering it as well, and we may be drawn into their debate whether we like it or not. So it's really important that we are as a community well prepared to discuss the issue.”

The next step is to develop a project plan, timetable and terms of reference before undertaking the research and seeing what the opportunities are.

Yesterday's meeting was attended by the mayors of the eastern, western and inland Bay of Plenty plus the BOP Regional Council chairman.

The lengthy discussion about the future direction and form of local government also acknowledged that good results have been achieved across the Bay of Plenty.

'We recognise the debate is taking place about the future of local government across New Zealand and we need to be proactively involved in that conversation locally and regionally.”