‘Shame’-o: Minister criticises Canterbury’s delay to regional deal proposal

Friday, 14 March 2025

Local Government Minister Simon Watts has criticised Canterbury leaders for not submitting a regional deal in the first round. Also pictured are Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen, Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger and Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton.

A decision by Canterbury mayors not to submit a regional deal proposal by the first deadline has been criticised by Local Government Minister Simon Watts.

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum decided last month it needed another six months to get a bid together, despite 18 other regions or cities managing to get their “light-touch” proposals in by February 28.

Canterbury Mayoral Forum chairperson and Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen, Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton, and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger are “singing from the same song sheet” when it comes to getting Mass Rapid Transit going. (Composite image)

The deals, which the Government campaigned on, will offer councils new funding sources for infrastructure projects and provide a long-term vision for delivering critical infrastructure including transport.

Watts said this week it was “a shame” for regions that have not put a forward a proposal.

“I am sure their ratepayers would love to see new infrastructure projects being invested in their area.”

Watts said there was a real opportunity for increasing growth through both city and regional deals that would benefit households.

“The Government is focused on attracting capital and growing the economy, and we need councils coming in with the same amount of energy to deliver results for New Zealanders.”

Canterbury Mayoral Forum chairman and Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen says the forum wants to do it once and do it right.

Wellington was also criticised this week for not submitting a proposal. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the inaction from Wellington’s councils as “pretty lame-o”.

Canterbury Mayoral Forum chairperson and Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen said this week there was consensus around the table that more time was needed to put in a quality proposal.

“We wanted to do it right and we could not deliver a quality deal in the time frame. Let’s do this right, do it once and not be rushed.”

The forum has a membership of 10 mayors representing councils from Waitaki to Kaikōura, including Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri, and the Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairman Craig Pauling.

The forum did, however, send a letter to Watts by the February 28 deadline signalling its intention to work on a proposal in the coming months. The forum would come back to him in August, it said.

The letter, signed by all 11 members, said that for much of 2024 each member council had been strongly focused on core business like implementing the Government’s new Local Water Done Well policy, resource management and consenting.

“Given the tight time frames for the regional deals process, we have taken the decision to prioritise those things that are of immediate importance to our ratepayers.”

Mass rapid transit for Greater Christchurch is a key focus for the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.

The letter said it would spend the time developing a number of different plans surrounding climate change, housing, transport and energy.

It would engage with a number of sectors including agriculture, aerospace, education, business, innovation and research, and mana whenua.

“Investing in this work now will ensure any regional deal proposal put forward will be robust, future focused and supported by the whole region,” the letter said.

It also signalled the mayors were keen to have discussions with the Government about alternative ways to fund projects, including bridge and road tolls, congestion charges, accommodation levies and returning GST on new builds to councils.

The Government will make a decision on the first regions to progress through the process in May, with the aim of having the first regional deal finalised by December. Another two should be finalised by October 2026.

The process for future rounds of proposals and deals is yet to be confirmed.

When asked if the Government would consider a Canterbury proposal later this year, Watts said there would be other opportunities for proposals to be submitted in the future.

“I would encourage all councils to think ahead about what key infrastructure projects their regions need to drive growth, jobs and productivity.”

One infrastructure project the forum will be pushing for is mass rapid transit (MRT) from Rolleston and Rangiora into Christchurch.

Bowen said the forum was in support of MRT because what was good for Greater Christchurch was good for the rest of the district.

“We are all singing from the same song sheet on that one.”

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said MRT was a key part of discussions at the forum.

He said the Government saw the value and importance of investing in the city’s future and funding the Brougham St upgrade showed this.

Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton said MRT was a smart investment, not only because of the rapid growth the region was experiencing, but also because the land was flat and easy to build on.

“MRT unlocks further urban and economic growth and is a great investment for shaping the future of Greater Christchurch for the benefit of the region.”

The original timeline for implementing MRT was planned for 2031 to 2034, but Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency told ECan last year it would likely be after 2034.