A sweeping restructure of local government is back on the table, with the Government signalling plans that could ultimately abolish regional councils nationwide

The government has unveiled sweeping proposals that would effectively dismantle the existing structure of regional councils in Aotearoa – replacing them with new regional governance boards comprised of mayors from city and district councils. The change, if adopted, would represent the most significant shake-up of New Zealand’s local government system since the reforms of 1989.

What’s Being Proposed

• The plan calls for the abolition of elected regional councillors. Instead of 11 regional councils with their own elected representatives, governance would shift to “Combined Territories Boards” (CTBs) made up of mayors from each region’s city and district councils.

• These mayor-led boards would take over the functions currently handled by regional councils – including environmental management, resource planning under the revamped resource-management regime, civil defence, regional infrastructure planning, and public transport.

• Under the new model, voting on the boards would be population-weighted: more populous areas have greater weight, but decisions – especially about resource management – would also need a majority among board members to pass, aiming to protect smaller/rural interests.

• The reforms come alongside broader changes to land, planning, and environmental regulation. The government argues the current system is over-bureaucratic, with overlapping responsibilities among regional and local councils that slow down development.

Government Rationale: What They Say They’re Trying to Fix

Supporters of the reforms, including the coalition government and the smaller parties backing it, argue that:

• The present system is overly complex and duplicative, with both regional and territorial local authorities undertaking overlapping responsibilities.

• Many voters do not know who their regional councillors are – low turnout and limited visibility have undermined the “social licence” or legitimacy for regional-level governance. The government says most people know their mayor, so shifting responsibility to mayors would better reflect democratic engagement.

• Merging functions and simplifying structures could cut red tape, reduce costs for ratepayers, and streamline decision-making on planning, environment, and infrastructure – potentially delivering faster housing and development outcomes.

Some groups supportive of past reforms also applaud the plan to eliminate non-elected roles and what they see as unresponsive bureaucracy at regional-council level.

Concerns and Criticisms

But not everyone agrees the proposed changes are wise – and some warn about serious risks, especially around democracy, representation, and environmental protection:

• Critics argue the plan removes an entire layer of local democracy and expertise: elected regional councillors bring local knowledge, represent rural and smaller communities, and provide focused oversight on environmental and regional matters.

• In particular, there are fears that Māori representation at regional level could be diminished. The proposal ends Māori-specific constituencies at regional councils; there is no guaranteed requirement for iwi or hapū representation on the new boards.

• Environmental organisations and some political parties have warned the reforms could weaken environmental regulation and oversight – especially as the pending changes to planning and resource-management laws cut back the role of local/regional input.

• Others caution that simply shifting existing functions (and people) into a different structure doesn’t guarantee actual savings or improved services; it could merely re-shuffle bureaucracy without real reform.

What Happens Next

The proposals are currently out for public consultation, with feedback invited until mid-February 2026.

If adopted, the government expects to pass legislation mid-year next, aiming for full implementation possibly within this electoral term.

Even as councils await clarity, some regions’ mayoral forums have signalled openness to discussion – but emphasised any changes must safeguard regional interests, community wellbeing, and the needs of smaller or rural populations.

What It Means for Communities – What to Watch

• Faster development or weaker protections? For many homeowners, developers, and infrastructure advocates, streamlined processes could mean speedier housing, roads, and resource consents. For environmentalists, Māori communities, and rural areas, there’s a risk that local voices and regional context get lost in broader decision-making.

• Democratic representation at stake. Under the new system, the only regional representatives would be mayors – who already juggle city/district duties. That may reduce local oversight and representation for communities that are small, remote, or under-served.

• Māori and treaty-settlement implications. Because the reform doesn’t guarantee iwi/hapū representation on the new boards, there is significant concern that co-governance commitments and Māori input into environmental/resource decisions could be weakened.

• Ratepayer costs and accountability. While proponents promise savings, real outcomes depend on how functions are reorganised, whether staff and offices are cut, or simply re-allocated. Transparency and ongoing public scrutiny will be needed to ensure reforms deliver tangible benefits rather than just shifting the burden.