FAQs
What has been announced and why can’t Waimakariri remain as a District Council?
The current Government has made it clear that regional councils won’t exist after 2028 and, in line with this, it wants to reduce the number of city and district councils across New Zealand. This means that all councils will need to consider reorganisation, with Government's current preference to move towards unitary authorities.
What is a unitary authority? And what is a territorial authority?
A unitary authority is a single council that combines the responsibilities duties and powers of a regional council, combining both local and regional functions within a single organisation.
A territorial authority is a city or district council, responsible for local infrastructure and community services, such as roads, water supply, wastewater, stormwater, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks and local regulatory functions.
Has Council made any decisions?
Council has not made any decisions. We’re asking for the communities' views on various reorganisation scenarios and priorities to understand what matters most to you about local representation. We want to get a sense of how our communities are feeling about this potential change, with this information informing any future conversations about reorganisation.
What other Councils did Waimakariri engage with and consider as part of this process?
Council has been engaging across the region as part of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.
The Forum recommended its member councils explore a regional approach to developing a Head Start proposal for the Simplifying Local Government reforms, with individual councils working through the detail of what that looks like for their communities.
We have also been engaging with our northern neighbours Hurunui and Kaikōura where we have existing working relationships, as well as our Greater Christchurch partners Christchurch City, and Selwyn.
Who will make the final decision?
The future shape of local government will ultimately be determined by central government – but our job is to make sure the voice of the community is clearly heard before those decisions are made.
What happens if Council doesn’t put an outline proposal to government?
If Council chooses not to progress through the Head Start pathway, it will be subject to the backstop process. Details on what the backstop process will look like are still being worked through by Government, however it is anticipated that during the transition regional council governance will be undertaken by an interim body after 2028. Government intends that legislation for the backstop process will be enacted before nominations open for the 2028 local elections. This will ensure candidates understand any new roles and responsibilities and electors can vote with clarity.
What did the Government decide about regional councils?
The current government has indicated that they will replace regional councillors at the 2028 local elections.
Future changes will not include regional councillors and may result in new local government structures such as unitary authorities. The Government confirmed that key regional council functions, including flood protection, environmental management, biosecurity and public transport, will remain with local government.
When will these changes happen?
Whichever pathway is chosen, the Government will have the final say. The legislation to support these changes is proposed to be introduced by Government in 2027, and implementation would begin in 2028 in the leadup to the next local elections.
What if there is a change in government?
If a new government is elected, the direction of local government reform may change. For now, we will proceed based on the information and direction currently provided.