Dear John,

Local government is really important, but it isn’t working for New Zealanders. It’s meant to serve communities, but right now it’s confusing them with duplication, disagreements, and decisions that defy common sense.

The time has come for reform.

Yesterday we announced proposals for the biggest shake-up of local government since 1989. It would deliver a much simpler, stream-lined and cost-effective system that makes it far easier to build the future New Zealanders deserve.

Here’s what we’re proposing:

Proposal 1 - Abolishing Regional Councillors and replacing them with a Board of Mayors.

This would replace elected regional councillors with new Combined Territories Boards made up of mayors from the region’s city and district councils.

Most people know their local Mayor. Can you name the Chair of your Regional Council, or even a Regional Councillor?

Combined Territories Boards would empower Mayors from the same region to work together to govern their regions. It would streamline regional decision-making across planning and infrastructure, reduce duplication, and strengthen accountability. It would also remove an unnecessary, confusing, and expensive structure.

Proposal 2 – Locally-led Regional Reorganisation.

This would see the new Combined Territories Boards lead regional reorganisation plans.
 

Regions would have to look at combining into unitary councils to strip out bureaucracy and create a simpler system.
 

Final plans would be approved by the Minister.

This is a once-in-a-generation chance to build a simpler, clearer, and more efficient local government system for New Zealanders. Combined with resource management reform (coming soon), it’ll lift living standards and drive growth for years to come.

If you want to have your say, please head here: https://www.dia.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government and or reply to this email and let us know.

Chris Bishop & Simon Watts