Our response to central government reforms

Central government is advancing major reforms that will reshape local government and how we manage land, water, air, and the wider environment in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

We support changes that deliver long-term outcomes for the people and environment of Waitaha Canterbury. 

While change is needed, it’s important that regional issues aren’t overlooked. Challenges like pests, river health, and climate risks don’t stop at district boundaries, so they need coordinated, region-wide solutions. 

We believe local communities and mana whenua must continue to play a central role in decisions that affect our region. 

Until these reforms are finalised and become law, we will continue to carry out all our legal responsibilities. 

Learn more about what the proposed changes could mean for our work and the communities we serve, and how we’re working to make sure Canterbury’s voice is heard and the reforms deliver lasting benefits for our people and environment.

Download a timeline of central government reforms affecting local government (PDF file, 94.2KB)

Reforms affecting local government at a glance

 
Resource management system reform (RMA replacement)
 
Regional governance reform
 
Rates capping
 
Emergency management reform

Resource management system reform (RMA replacement)

What’s changing

The Government is reforming the resource management system. New legislation to eventually replace the Resource Management Act (1991) (RMA) is expected to pass into law before general elections.

Temporary consent duration changes

What has changed

To provide some certainty during the transition to the new resource management system, the Government introduced the Resource Management (Consent Duration) Amendment Act. The new Act was processed under urgency and has been in effect from 17 December 2025.

Under this Act, all consents due to expire before 31 December 2027 have been automatically extended until that date unless it is a water-related consent, and the extension to 31 December 2027 would have taken the duration beyond 35 years. In that case, the consent’s duration has been extended to expire 35 years after commencement. 

Notice and guidance for consent holders

Read our notice on automatic extensions to resource consents under the Resource Management (Consent Duration) Amendment Act

What resource management reform means for Canterbury 

Once passed into law, the new legislation will affect how we plan for and manage our natural environment, cities and towns, with impacts for local authorities, communities, resource users and ratepayers. 

Select Committee Report on the Natural Environment and Planning Bills

On 20 July 2026, the Environment Select Committee reported back to Parliament with its recommendations on the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill. Once enacted, these Bills will eventually replace the Resource Management Act (RMA). Read the Select Committee’s reports:

Council’s submission on the two bills covered a range of areas, including governance and decision-making, te Tiriti / Treaty, functions and responsibilities, public participation, funding and cost-recovery, regulatory relief, market-based allocation models and our core regulatory functions including planning, consents, and compliance and enforcement. 

More information  

What happens next 

Parliament will consider the Select Committee’s report and recommendations and go through the required legislative process during which further amendments can be made. The Government wants the legislation passed before the election, which means before Parliament rises on 24 September, with some provisions taking effect one month later.

Regional governance reform

What’s changing

On 5 May 2026, the Government confirmed its final decisions on the Simplifying Local Government proposal. These decisions set the direction for how local government in New Zealand – including Canterbury – will change over the coming years. 

Key changes: 

  • All regions are to form unitary authorities. In general, one unitary per region is expected, but for large regions such as Canterbury more than one unitary could be proposed. 
  • City and district councils (territorial authorities) have until 9 August 2026 to work with other territorial and unitary authorities to put forward outline proposals for the establishment of new unitary authorities. This is known as the Head Start pathway. Regional councils cannot put forward a proposal 
  • For Councils that do not put forward a proposal, the Government will develop a compulsory ‘backstop’ process for them to take effect from the 2028 local elections.  
  • Regional councillors will be replaced at the 2028 local elections with an interim body (e.g. a board of mayors, Crown Commissioners, or a hybrid model) to implement this compulsory process. 

The Government also announced the outcome of the rapid review of regional functions. Key regional functions — flood protection, biosecurity, public transport, environmental management — will remain with local government, not transfer to central government. 

For more information on Government’s decision:

What’s our position 

We support locally-led modernisation of local government that will provide for a more effective, future system that  delivers better outcomes for communities and ratepayers. 

We acknowledge the Government has heard our submission (PDF file, 562.06KB) and agreed that regional functions should remain locally at catchment level. Also it confirmed that regional councils’ structure and functions need to be locally led. 

We’re still working through the Government’s announcement. There are a number of details to be clarified, but change in the local government sector is something we’ve been advocating for. If it’s done well, it could deliver real benefits for Canterbury. 

Until we know more and further decisions are made, our work continues as set out in our Long-Term Plan commitments. We remain focused on serving our communities and caring for our environment.

What happens next

  • Head Start pathway: The Government is expected to decide by September 2026 which outline proposals for new unitary authorities to progress. Final decisions and implementation is expected to begin in 2027 ahead of 2028 local elections. 
  • Backstop process: For Councils that do not voluntarily submit proposals in August 2026, the Government will impose a standardised reorganisation from the 2028 local elections. Regional councillors will be replaced by some form of interim body. Details of the backstop process, including the interim body model are to be confirmed in 2027.   

Rates capping

The Government has agreed to introduce a rates target model for local government, applicable from 1 July 2029, with a transition period from 2027. A preliminary target range of 2-4 per cent per year per capita is proposed.

What’s our position 

We share the concern about affordability for our communities, and we remain committed to keeping rates as low as possible and being transparent about how every dollar is spent. 

Regional rates fund essential services across Waitaha Canterbury, including: 

  • flood protection and resilience 
  • air and water quality improvements 
  • pest control and biodiversity enhancement 
  • public transport planning and delivery. 

Rates capping raises big questions about how councils can continue to respond to climate challenges and maintain critical infrastructure under constrained funding.

Download our submission: Canterbury Regional Council submission to the Department of Internal Affairs on the Rates Target Model Proposal (PDF file, 407.05KB)

What happens next 

Following targeted consultation closing on 4 February 2026, the Government is expected to introduce legislation to implement the rates target model before the 2026 General Election. The transition period would start from 1 January 2027, with the full regulatory framework operational by 1 July 2029.

Emergency management reform

What’s proposed 

The Emergency Management Bill was introduced on 9 December 2025. This Bill is part of the government's response to issues identified in the Government Inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. It sets out who is responsible for emergency management at national, regional, and local levels. It also expands emergency powers during the recovery phase, and introduces new compliance orders and offences.  

What’s our position

We support the Bill’s goal of modernising emergency management. However, we believe it needs clearer leadership roles, stronger iwi partnership, consistent community representation, and better funding to support the additional responsibilities it creates.  

Our submission highlights our legal responsibilities for managing hazards, assessing climate-related risks, and administering the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group. 

A key focus of our submission is the need for additional central government funding for local authorities to meet their new requirements. Without this, there is a risk that the Bill will be implemented unevenly across regions, especially where councils face limits on rates increases. 

We also strongly believe that flood protection, telemetry, and coastal monitoring systems should be recognised as essential infrastructure. These systems are critical for keeping communities safe and supporting other essential services.

Download our submission: Canterbury Regional Council submission on the Emergency Management Bill February 2026 (PDF file, 446.33KB)

What happens next 

Consultation on the Bill closes on 15 February. The Governance and Administration Committee is due to report back on 9 June 2026, with legislation expected to pass in 2026. 

When passed, the Emergency Management Bill will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (the CDEM Act) and create the new emergency management legal framework for New Zealand.  

Other legislative and policy changes

Other changes to legislation and policy that guide how we deliver our work as a regional council include: 

Have your say

There are different ways for you to have a say on the reforms, including making a public submission during public consultation or reaching out to your local MP.

Want to stay up to date? Explore our news section for the latest updates on government reforms, proposed legislation, and how we’re ensuring Canterbury’s voice is heard.

Further information

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