Canterbury Regional Council Chair responds to government proposals to reform regional councils
Environment Canterbury media release: 25th November 2025
At 5pm today, the Government released detailed proposals to fundamentally reshape regional government across New Zealand, including replacing elected regional councillors with interim governing bodies.
These changes will reshape how Canterbury manages its environment, economy, and community resilience for decades to come.
Our Council has long agreed the current system needs reform. We've been calling for change and working on solutions. We genuinely welcome the opportunity to improve outcomes for our communities. The question is how we do that while strengthening democratic accountability.
Regional decisions need regional accountability. We make complex choices that affect whole regions, determining flood protection priorities, allocating water during droughts, coordinating transport investment, balancing development with environmental protection. These decisions directly impact people's homes, livelihoods, and futures.
They work best when made by people elected by and accountable to the whole region, not committees primarily representing individual districts. Cross-boundary challenges require cross-boundary solutions with clear democratic mandate.
Recent independent analysis shows regional councils prevent $1.2 billion in flood damage annually and deliver strong returns on infrastructure investments. Any new model must build on these proven strengths while addressing genuine gaps in the current system.
I'm committed to working constructively with Government on reforms that deliver better outcomes. For changes affecting every New Zealand region, we need genuine partnership in designing solutions that work for our communities.
My regional colleagues and I are carefully working through what these proposals mean for our communities and Treaty partnerships. We'll take the time needed to understand the implications and engage meaningfully with the people we serve.
In coming weeks, we'll make our position clear and engage in good faith on achieving the best outcomes for New Zealand. Throughout this process, we remain focused on delivery.
The rain doesn't stop falling, the wilding pines don't stop spreading, and economic activity doesn't pause for political discussions. We'll keep doing the essential work our communities depend on, even as we navigate this significant change and work toward solutions that serve New Zealand well.
Dr Deon Swiggs
Chair Canterbury Regional Council