Northland mayors urge local focus in Government plan to scrap regional councils

Northland Regional Council (NRC) is responsible for a wide range of regional functions focused on environmental management, safety and infrastructure. Photo / NZME

Northland’s mayors had anticipated changes to local government and even held early talks about shared regional services, but say they only learned the full details of the Government’s sweeping overhaul yesterday—alongside everyone else.

Whangārei mayor Ken Couper told the Northern Advocate today the councils had already begun initial discussions and those would continue.

“The possibility of changes to local government has been signalled for some time. We became aware that day there would be a major announcement, but we did not have the details or specifics until it was released,” he said.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop officially announced at 5pm yesterday a sweeping overhaul of local government, aimed at abolishing regional councils and replacing them with mayor-led “Combined Territory Boards” (CTBs).

Under the plan, district council mayors would assume the responsibilities traditionally held by regional councils. These boards would also be tasked with developing Regional Reorganisation Plans (RRPs) over two years, potentially paving the way for council amalgamations or joint entities to share responsibility for services like water, transport and waste.

The public has until next February to give its feedback and it won’t be until after then that the Government makes another announcement as to what the proposed changes will specifically look like.

Northland’s Mayoral Forum – made up of the region’s three district mayors and newly-elected Northland Regional Council (NRC) chair Pita Tipene said they were united in their willingness to embrace the proposed new structure - the first review of local government structures in 35 years - but warned reforms needed to reflect local needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach imposed from Wellington.

Far North mayor Moko Tepania said the forum was unanimous in wanting to ensure any reform was in the best interests of Northland as a whole.

Kaipara mayor Jonathan Larsen said he looks forward to working with other Northland councils “to get the best possible outcome for our ratepayers”.

Tipene said it was difficult to go into specifics at this early stage. All four councils want to work with the central government but need time to examine the details.

Couper said he supports the Government’s drive for efficiencies across both local and central government, saying “efficiencies aren’t just about cost-cutting but also about improving service delivery and outcomes for communities”.

He said the relationship between Whangārei District Council and Northland Regional Council has long been collaborative.

He cited joint work on projects such as the Whangārei Future Development Strategy, Civil Defence and Emergency Management, flood resilience planning, economic development through Northland Inc, and environmental programmes like Tiakina Whangārei.

These existing partnerships provided a foundation for any future shared service arrangements under the proposed reforms, Couper said.

He noted the proposal for mayor-led CTBs was only one option proposed by the Government, which is also seeking feedback as to the role and powers the Crown might have on these boards.

The proposed change is part of wider Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms, with legislation expected by 2027.

The Government claims the current system is plagued by duplication, inefficiency and poor voter engagement – citing turnouts below 50% in local elections – and argues the shake-up will lead to better accountability, reduce rates and effect smarter use of them, delivering better value for ratepayers.

Northland Regional Council building on Water St, Whangārei. Photo / NZME

CTB voting would be weighted by population, with mechanisms to ensure smaller communities have influence; Crown Commissioners could also be appointed to balance decision-making.

Existing district and regional boundaries would mostly remain, although the RRPs could recommend more unitary authorities or shared services, while regional council Māori and general regional constituencies would be replaced by mayoral representation.

Northland Regional councillor Joe Carr said he supported the restructure, even though it likely meant an end to his own role.

The regional council has not been effective in delivering long-term plans that benefit rural Northland and the layers of bureaucracy had become like a “bloated whale”, he said.

But Carr thought there needed to be independent commissioners on the CTB, to help prevent an “orgy for resources” by district council.

Northland Regional Council has $446 million worth of assets on its books, including investment properties and investment in subsidiaries like Northport Group and $5m worth of forestry assets, according to its 2025 Annual Report.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, most of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast.