The Strategy proposes 10 zone committees and one Regional Committee.

The zone committees are expected to work collaboratively to develop water management implementation programmes, taking into account programmes in other zones, as well as the work addressed by the Regional Committee.

Council resolutions will be required to approve and formalise committee implementation programmes.

The zone committees operate as joint committees of the regional council and the local territorial authority. The Regional Committee is a committee of the regional council (to meet requirements of the Local Government Act), and will operate to include all local authorities in Canterbury.

Membership of committees is by appointment (not election). Councils must advertise for expressions of interest from community members, and then conduct an agreed selection process for recommendation back to the councils involved.

Zone committee membership

Each zone committee will have between seven and 10 members made up as follows:

• An Environment Canterbury appointee
• A local territorial authority councillor
• A Ngai Tahu Runanga appointee
• Between four and six local members nominated from the community who come from a variety of backgrounds and interests.

The committees will be selected for balance of expertise and perspective across a range of stakeholder interests.

Regional Committee membership

The Regional Committee was established in mid 2010 and includes:

• Two Environment Canterbury appointments
• Three territorial authority appointments from each of north, mid and south Canterbury
• A Christchurch City Council appointee
• A Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu appointee
• Three runanga appointments from each of north, mid and south Canterbury
• The chairs (or other member) of each zone committee
• Six members selected from a number of sectors (fisheries; energy; environmental/biodiversity; primary production/agriculture; recreation; regional development including tourism.

Committee appointment cycle, meetings and remuneration

Committees will last for three years, after which a new committee will be formed following the process outlined above.

Members will be paid travel expenses as well as an honorarium:

• Appointed members $2,000 pa
• Deputy Chair $3,000 pa
• Chair $5,000 pa

Note: staff or elected members of local bodies are not be eligible for remuneration.

Each committee will meet at least four times per annum and with workshops and additional meetings as required.

Proxies or alternates are not permitted.

Any committee may co-opt such other expert knowledge or advisory (non-voting) as it deems necessary to ensure it is able to achieve its purpose.

Committee operating philosophy

• Give effect to the Fundamental Principles, Targets and goals of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
• Be culturally sensitive observing tikanga Maori.
• Give consideration to and balance the interests of all water stakeholders in the region in debate and decision-making.
• Work in a collaborative and co-operative manner using best endeavours to reach solutions that take account of the interests of all sector of the community.
• Members of the Committee are appointed on the basis of their experience and knowledge and not to representing a particular interest or group. Accordingly members will contribute their knowledge and perspective but not promote the views or positions of any particular interest and stakeholder group.
• Promote a shift in philosophy from an individual rights basis towards using water resource to a collective interests approach to water management.
• The Committee will seek consensus in its decision-making where at all possible. Where, despite the best endeavours of members, unanimous agreement is not able to be reached a decision may be taken if in the view of the significant majority (i.e. 75% or more of members) it represents the best interest of all sectors of the community.
• Meeting of the Committee shall be called and operate in accordance with the requirements of the LGOIMA.
• In the event that neither unanimous agreement is able to be reached nor a significant majority view formed, the Committee must in the first instance seek assistance from an external facilitator to further Committee discussions and deliberations.
• Where the Committee is unable to reach consensus (75% or more) despite having sought assistance and exhausted all avenues, they must recommend that the respective Councils disband them and appoint a new Committee.