Christchurch will need to amalgamate with at least one other council to avoid Government-enforced changes

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Christchurch will need to combine with at least one other council in order to avoid a government-enforced amalgamation.

Councils have just three months to come up with proposals for amalgamating, otherwise the Government will do it for them.

In a move which could dramatically centralise local authorities — sparking concerns about local democracy — Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced on Tuesday that councils had three months to reorganise into larger unitary authorities.

Although it is good news for Christchurch — mayor Phil Mauger said the council had already expressed interest in absorbing Environment Canterbury functions and becoming a unitary city — each proposal needed at least two councils, and neither Waimakariri or Selwyn are committed to collaborating.

However, the fast-tracked reform process could result in as few as one unitary authority proposed per region. Existing regional councils would no longer exist, and changes would be effective by the 2028 local elections.

Any council which did not submit a proposal would leave its fate in the hands of the Government, which Watts said would take a “standardised approach”, including transitional governance arrangements while changes were put in place.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said his community have already made it clear they don’t want structural change.

“We remain open to discussing future options with our neighbours — but not at the expense of our district’s identity, local decision-making, or ratepayer-owned assets,” he said.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said several mayors had told the Government they were ready to pitch their own plans for reorganising local government. (File photo)

Selwyn mayor Lydia Gliddon said it was important to first consult with local communities and understand the implications.

“Reform is a good opportunity to reduce unnecessary complexity and do things better, but rushing the process won’t lead to better or more efficient outcomes,” she said.

Environment Canterbury chairperson Deon Swiggs said the Government’s proposal closely reflected the regional council’s own position, but he was concerned for districts like Kaikōura which had distinct local identities.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said any reform his council backed would have to protect local voices and locally-owned assets.

“Efficiencies aren’t always the answer when you’re talking about local democracy, local community voice … And if [they] get amalgamated into a big regional unitary, the question is, how does that local community have local connection to their decision makers?”

Multiple mayors said the announcement took them by surprise and were reluctant to comment before staff had pored over the details.

Buller District mayor Chris Russell said he could not understand why it was being “rushed” when annual plans were due soon and councils were busy with other government-mandated reforms, like establishing new water entities.

“Nobody’s against reform … but it’s important that we do get it right. Otherwise, we’re going to end up costing our ratepayers even more.”

In the council’s submission to the Government’s proposed local government reform earlier this year, local leaders expressed concern about power being centralised and possibly located in another district.

It said outsiders might assume West Coast councils could share functions, but there were “drastic” geographical distances.

Kaikōura District Council did not respond to questions about amalgamation, but Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor said her council — which is already a unitary authority — has extended an invitation to discuss options.

In South Canterbury, Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen welcomed the opportunity to become part of a larger unitary council.

“For too long, the urban voice of Christchurch has dominated regional policy, often failing to reflect the priorities and perspectives of South Canterbury urban and rural communities. This is our opportunity to reset that balance and shape a model that works for town, country and every place in between,” Bowen said.

Bowen said he would start work today to actively engage neighbouring councils to progress options for a new local government structure across South Canterbury.

Waimate District mayor Craig Rowley, too, felt the announcement was a positive step, however ruled out putting in a proposal.

“We will work with our neighbouring councils in due course,” he said.

Bishop said the ‘head start’ pathway was a result of public feedback on proposed local government reform. He said several mayors said they were ready to move now and had clear ideas, so the Government wanted to let them get on with it.

Previously, the plan had been to disestablish regional councils and create a board of mayors in 2027.

Cabinet will have the final say on which proposals succeed, but only proposals recommended by Ministers — after first being assessed by Government officials — will make it that far.