A scheduled meeting in Tauranga today to discuss local council reforms is postponed following the resignation of former cabinet minister Nick Smith.

Nick was due to meet with Bay of Plenty council mayors and chief executives to discuss the reforms announced by the Government today.

Former cabinet minister Nick Smith was meant to meet with BOP council officials today.

However, following his resignation as minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Local Government on Wednesday the meeting is being postponed.

Nick resigned due to two conflicts of interest in relation to a letter he wrote on ACC letterhead for friend Bronwyn Pullar.

The Government reform package features eight initiatives with the first four examining the purpose of local government, fiscal responsibility requirements, strengthening council governance provisions and streamlining council re-organisation procedures.

They will be introduced to Parliament in May and be passed in September.

The remainder of the reforms, which include a local government efficiency taskforce, a framework around local and central government regulatory roles, an investigation into efficient infrastructure provision and review of development contributions, will be undertaken in consultation with Local Government New Zealand.

The work streams will also link with the Productivity Commission's investigation on regulatory roles between central and local government and the Auditor General's inquiries into development contributions.

This work will feed into a second reform bill proposed for 2013.

Former Local Government minister Nick Smith's reforms roadshow began in Wellington last week and he was due to be in Tauranga today.

The meetings have been postponed following his resignation.