Government confirms local government reform direction for Canterbury

The Government has confirmed that key regional council responsibilities — including flood protection, public transport and environmental management — will remain with local government in Canterbury following its Simplifying Local Government review. 

Canterbury Regional Council acknowledges the Government's final decisions on Simplifying Local Government, which closely reflect the position we consistently put forward on behalf of our region. The outcome reinforces the value of strong regional advocacy and shows that meaningful reform works best when it recognises local knowledge, complexity and diversity.

What the Government has confirmed

The Government has confirmed that, following its rapid review, regional council functions that sit outside the Resource Management Act (RMA) will remain with local government. These include:

• Flood protection
• Emergency management
• Biosecurity
• Environmental regulation
• Public transport

These functions will not be transferred to central government.

These are services that are connected to place. They rely on local knowledge, long-term relationships and integrated planning across land, water, transport and communities. Keeping these functions regional ensures decisions continue to be made close to the people and environments they affect.

Certainty for governance through to 2028

The announcement also provides certainty and stability for regional governance in Canterbury through to 2028.

All currently elected regional councillors will remain in office until the October 2028 elections.

While the future of regional council elections beyond 2028 will be determined through this reform process, the current Council remains fully in place to see Canterbury through this critical period of delivery and reform, rather than being distracted by uncertainty around structural change.

Pathways to structural change (Head Start and Backstop)

Head Start pathway (opt-in, early action)

A 'Head Start' pathway has been introduced for regions that are ready and willing to move toward structural change.

In these cases, proposals for new unitary authorities can be advanced now.

A single unitary authority within a region is preferred, though the Government has acknowledged that very large or complex regions may ultimately require more than one.

Backstop pathway (default, later transition)

For regions that are not part of the Head Start pathway, district and city councils will continue through to the 2028 elections.

Regional and local councils will continue operating until that time, after which a transitional governance arrangement, which could include a board of mayors, Crown commissioners, or a hybrid model, would be established to lead a regional reorganisation process and determine the future local governance structure.

Overall direction of reform

It is important to be clear about the Government's overall direction. Both the Head Start and Backstop pathways are designed to move local government toward unitary authorities, single councils that combine the functions currently delivered by regional, city and district councils.

While Canterbury's regional council functions are protected from centralisation, the long-term structure of local government in our region will ultimately change, with those functions delivered through one or more unitary authorities rather than standalone regional and territorial councils.

Canterbury Regional Council’s focus

Our focus remains unchanged. Our job is, first and foremost, to deliver for the people and environments of Waitaha Canterbury. Whatever structure emerges from this reform process, we will work to ensure it preserves the integrated catchment management, regional transport, civil defence and climate adaptation functions that we currently deliver at scale across one of the country's most complex and diverse regions.

We will continue to work closely with councils across the region and New Zealand, and with mana whenua. Our collective focus remains firmly on implementing the RMA reform programme and spatial planning, while maintaining strong momentum in our day-to-day delivery.

What this means long term

This announcement is a starting point, not an end point. The next two years will involve significant detailed work, and the choices made along the way will shape local government in Canterbury for generations. We will stay closely engaged to ensure those choices are well informed by evidence, sector experience, and the voices of our communities.

This decision provides stability and sends a clear message — local voice matters. Canterbury is ready to work together for the long-term wellbeing of our region.

Stay up to date: Get updates on our response to central government reforms and what this means for Canterbury.