Environment Southland, Southland's regional council, has backed an investigation that could result in local authorities merging.

Last year, Southland's mayor called for the four existing Southland councils to merge into two unitary authorities and requested the Local Government Commission look into it further.

The commission asked other local councils whether they would be open to governance changes being explored.

Southland's regional council chairman, Nicol Horrell, said councillors supported looking at all the options including shared services or reorganisation.

"It's important that we retain local governance while achieving cost savings for our communities," he said.

"There hasn't been significant change in local council representation in 40 years, and we know our community is looking for this. Southland could lead the way."

The council agreed to ask the commission not to delay the investigation until after this year's local government elections.

The commission was expected to decide on whether to investigate the proposal next month. The entire process would likely take three to five years.

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