Environment Canterbury explores local government’s future as reforms loom
Photo: Craig Pauling, ECan’s Chair, at the Super Local Conference. Source: LGNZ
Canterbury’s regional councillors are proactively considering what the future of local government should look like, as central government pushes ahead with reforms to both the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the Local Government Act.
At a recent conference, Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillors discussed governance principles and options, including what functions should be managed nationally, regionally, or locally.
No specific structure was agreed upon, but ECan Chair Craig Pauling said the conversation was an important step.
“Although we have more work to do, it was clear that there are some different ways to do this and some promising options for the future,” he said.
Deputy Chair Dr Deon Swiggs noted Canterbury’s “scale, diverse landscapes, and active economies” require tailored governance solutions.
“By thinking ahead, Canterbury Regional Council is well placed to contribute constructively to national conversations and ensure the needs of our people, environment, and economy are reflected in whatever reforms come next.”
Those national reforms are already underway.
The Government has announced changes that will suspend councils’ obligations to complete 10 year plans and regional policy statements, aiming to avoid unnecessary costs under a planning system that is set to be replaced.
Most plan changes that haven’t reached hearings will be stopped, unless they meet specific exemption criteria.
Minister for RMA Reform Chris Bishop said during the conference the pause would prevent councils from investing in plans likely to become obsolete.
“There’s little point continuing long, costly hearings for plans that may not align with the new system,” he said.
“The transition starts now.”
In a series of public statements, ECan has acknowledged the risks and opportunities these changes create.
“We’ve proactively been doing work at our council to understand how the reforms might impact Canterbury, and what we can do to ensure good outcomes for our natural resources, our communities as well as our economy,” Pauling said.
Photo: Environment Canterbury members at the Super Local conference. Source LGNZ
While central government is leading the reform process, and any proposed changes will go through the usual Parliamentary channels including public submissions and select committee hearings, ECan also develops formal responses through its Strategy and Policy Committee.
The committee also includes two independent youth members, who can advocate for youth perspectives, even though they don’t have voting rights.
A recent example was the committee’s approval of ECan’s submission on proposed changes to RMA national direction, which happened on July 23rd.
These mechanisms, while often invisible to the public, give younger people a foot in the door when it comes to shaping long-term policy.
ECan has also reiterated the significance of its Treaty partnership with Ngāi Tahu.
In a recent position statement, the council described its relationship with iwi as “maturing, enduring, and extending beyond statutory obligations through a tangata tiriti lens.”
Ngāi Tahu is considered a critical partner in all discussions about the region’s future.