The Government has proposed to abolish regional councillors, replacing them with Combined Territorial Boards (CTBs) composed of Mayors.

The CTB will be required to work on Regional Reorganisation Plans to improve efficiency, strengthen collaboration across councils, and ensure decisions are made closer to communities.

They will have two years to submit re-organisation plans to the Minister for Local Government for approval.

One of the key reasons for this significant change in due to the planned replacement of the Resource Management Act (a core responsibility of regional councils).

The changes could bring significant shifts in roles and responsibilities.

The requirement to develop Regional Reorganisation Plans may also prompt discussion about combining services or even amalgamating councils, potentially reshaping how local government is structured in the future.

Rates capping / Simplifying Local Government Resources:

• https://www.dia.govt.nz/Local-Government-Policy
• https://www.dia.govt.nz/Local-Government-Review
• LGNZ Simplifying Local Government Process
• Simpson Grierson: Proposed Regional Governance overhaul – implications and opportunities

Next steps

You can make a submission online. Closing date for submissions is 20 February 2026.