Local leadership groups
A new chapter in managing Waitaha Canterbury’s freshwater and land management is now underway with a transition from water zone committees to local leadership groups throughout the region.
Since 2009, Canterbury’s water zone committees have played a vital role in implementing the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS). These committees brought together community members, rūnanga, territorial authorities, and us to address local water issues collaboratively.
Over the past 15 years, they’ve delivered significant outcomes through Zone Implementation Programmes, community engagement and relationship builting, and environmental enhancement projects.
However, with evolving national freshwater policies and changing regional needs, a comprehensive review was initiated in 2024 to assess the effectiveness and future direction of these committees.
From zones to groups: meeting today’s freshwater challenges
In May 2025, the Canterbury Mayoral Forum endorsed a new model for freshwater and land management.
This model replaces the 10 water zone committees with eight Local Leadership Groups, designed to reflect catchment boundaries and current challenges better.
These groups will include representatives from territorial authorities, rūnanga, and Environment Canterbury and focus on strategic guidance, priority setting, and community engagement
The new Groups will better reflect today’s needs — enabling stronger collaboration, clearer accountability, and more strategic decision-making across the region.
Learn more about the Canterbury Mayoral Forum endorsement for a new model for freshwater and land management.
Progress updates
November 2024: Initial endorsement of the new model by the Mayoral Forum
February to April 2025: Stakeholder workshops with rūnanga and councils
May 2025: Final recommendations for a new model presented and endorsed
June 2025: Councils begin formal transition planning, with discussions between all parties underway
October 2025: Local body elections
February 2026: New Local Leadership Groups expected to be established and operational
Next steps in Canterbury’s water governance transition
The transition from Canterbury’s water zone committees to new Local Leadership Groups is now well underway.
Territorial authorities, rūnanga, and Environment Canterbury are currently discussing proposed group membership and leadership structures, with each group also planning how they will engage with their communities and other key stakeholders.
They will also be working on refining geographic boundaries, with eight catchment-based areas replacing the previous ten zones.
The new groups are expected to be operational by February 2026.
Stay connected: We’ll keep you updated as the transition progresses. For more information or any questions, reach out to Murray Griffin, Team Leader, at murray.griffin@ecan.govt.nz or Cameron Smith – Senior Strategy Manager on cameron.smith@ecan.govt.nz