Simplifying Local Government

On 25 November 2025, the Government announced that it is consulting on its proposal to simplify local government. You can read more detail in the proposal document here: Simplifying Local Government - A draft proposal (PDF, 534KB). Consultation will be open until 20 February 2026.

How is local government currently structured?
What is being proposed?
Why this change?
Proposal document
Further information
How can I have my say?

How is local government currently structured?

Most places in New Zealand have two separate councils – a regional council, and a city or district council (sometimes called ‘territorial authorities’). Each have a separate set of elected councillors who look after separate (but often similar) things.

There are 11 regional councils that govern services such as environmental management, regional transport planning, and civil defence. There are 67 city or district councils that govern services such as roads, water infrastructure, rubbish collection, libraries, parks, and land use planning. There are 6 ‘unitary authorities’ that combine the two roles.

What is being proposed?

The Government is proposing to simplify local government in two steps:

Step 1: Instead of electing separate regional councillors, the mayors you already vote for will collectively form a Combined Territories Board (CTB). The CTB will lead regional issues and govern the regional council, taking over all of the current regional council’s roles and obligations. We also want to know what you think about the alternative options of appointing one or more Crown Commissioners (appointed by the Government) to lead or join the board.
Step 2: The CTB will develop a plan for how the councils in your region can work together more effectively and efficiently (called a Regional Reorganisation Plan). The plan will be developed in consultation with you, examined independently, and be approved by the Minister of Local Government.

Why this change?

Local democracy is important, but many people don’t vote in local elections or understand the difference between regional councils and city or district councils.

The current system has built-in duplication (two sets of councillors). CTBs simplify governance by consolidating decision making with mayors. This reduces duplication and ensures regional decision making is more aligned across councils. It also ensures there is clear accountability to the public by the CTB for delivery of regional services. If Crown Commissioners are appointed, they would have the same responsibilities as regional councillors currently have.

Regional reorganisation plans provide a structured, transparent platform to improve efficiency and ensure services are delivered in a way that fits the region’s needs. They will be designed to answer the question: “What is the best way the councils in my region can work together to deliver effective and efficient services and functions in this region?”