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

In May 2026, the Government announced it would introduce a streamlined Head Start pathway for councils to reorganise themselves into new unitary authorities that combine territorial and regional council functions. the Simplifying Local Government reforms sets the direction for how local government in New Zealand – including Canterbury – will change over the coming years. 

Key expectations of Head Start proposals:

  • Territorial authorities (city and district councils) within regions were able to propose joining with neighbouring councils 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. Regional Councils could not submit proposals. 

  • City and district councils had until 9 August 2026 to put forward outline proposals for the establishment of new unitary authorities.  Proposals had to be submitted by two or more territorial or unitary authorities.  

  • Government has said it will consider these proposals and decide in September which to progress into a detailed design phase. 

  • For councils that aren’t included in a Head Start proposal approved by Government, they will become part of a compulsory process, called ‘Backstop’.   

  • Government has said that 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 has also undertaken a rapid review of regional council statutory roles, responsibilities and functions and found most functions are suitable to remain delivered at a regional or local level. The review found that two key council functions warrant more detailed consideration: transport, and environmental compliance and enforcement.  

Head Starts proposals submitted on 9 August 

Sunday 9 August was the deadline for territorial authorities wishing to pursue voluntary reorganisation through the Government's Head Start pathway to submit proposals for new unitary authorities. 

In Waitaha, nine of the region’s 10 territorial authorities submitted a Head Start proposal:

Proposed unitary authority Councils involved Submission
Kaikōura–Marlborough Kaikōura and Marlborough district councils Download proposal
North Canterbury Hurunui and Waimakariri district councils Download proposal
Christchurch City Christchurch City Council Visit CCC website for the proposal
Selwyn Selwyn District Council Download proposal
Mid-South Canterbury/North Otago Timaru, Waimate, Mackenzie and Waitaki district councils; proposal also includes Ashburton Download proposal

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.  

Since regional councils could not put forward proposals, our Council instead worked constructively with Canterbury’s territorial authorities, providing information and advice as they developed their proposals. 

While we have not advocated for a specific reorganisation proposal, we have continued to emphasise the value of delivering regional functions at scale, maintaining catchment integrity, and working in genuine partnership with mana whenua. 

Our work continues as set out in our Annual Plan and 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. If approved in September 2026, councils would start to design their reorganisation proposals in greater detail. Government has said it would make final decisions on detailed proposals in May 2027. Following this, legislation would be progressed so that implementation for those approved can begin ahead of the 2028 local elections.
  • Backstop process: For Councils that aren’t included in a Head Start proposal approved by Government, the Government has said it will impose a standardised reorganisation after the 2028 local body elections. Regional councillors will be replaced by some form of interim governing body. Details of the backstop process, including interim governance arrangements are to be confirmed in 2027.  

More information on Simplifying Local Government reform:

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.

In June 2026, the Governance and Administration Committee reported the Bill back to Parliament and recommended that it be passed with amendments.

What’s our position

We support the Bill’s goal of modernising emergency management and improving how New Zealander prepares for, responds to and recovers from emergencies.

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

We consistently advocated for:

  • stronger partnerships with mana whenua
  • fair and sustainable funding for councils and communities
  • recognition of flood protection, telemetry and coastal monitoring systems as essential infrastructure
  • community led planning and engagement

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

What happens next 

The Bill is now moving through the final stages of the Parliamentary process and is expected to be passed this term.

If passed, it will replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 (the CDEM Act) and become the new legislative framework for emergency management in New Zealand. 

Over the coming months, we’ll focus on what the changes mean in practice and prepare for implementation. In the meantime, we continue working with partners to support risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery across the region.

 

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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