Environment Southland (ES) has reacted to yesterday's (25 Nov) government announcement to remove regional councils, saying it opens the door to significant opportunities – and challenges for Southland communities.

Regional Management Act reform Minister Chris Bishop announced the proposed local government shakeup yesterday.

Under the proposal city and district councils would assume the functions currently performed by regional councils.

ES Chairman Jeremy McPhail said the proposal added urgency to conversations already underway about reorganising councils in Southland.

“We are currently engaged in a formal process around that with the Local Government Commission,” he said.

"We need to make sure any new system reflects the needs and priorities of the region and our people.”

The decisions made in the coming year will shape how Southland protects the environment, manages risks, and supports regional growth for decades to come.

“Getting the balance right between local delivery and national direction is critical,” McPhail said.

“We can’t afford to lose the local knowledge and responsiveness that communities rely on.”

Regional councils do work that matters to communities, every day – managing flood protection, freshwater, the coast, and air quality; protecting biodiversity; biosecurity; planning for natural hazards and regional transport; and delivering maritime safety.

“These aren’t optional extras,” McPhail said.

“They’re essential services that underpin safety, prosperity, and environmental health.”

“As regional councillors, it’s our job to know our catchments and communities inside out,” he said.

“Our services rely on that knowledge, on catchment-based planning, and on being able to respond quickly when things happen."

"Yes, there’s room for improvement, and consistent national direction and better funding would help – but stripping away regional governance knowledge and connection isn’t necessarily the answer.”

McPhail said ES would be fully engaged in the Government’s consultation process.

“I’ll be fighting Southland’s corner."

"Whatever system comes out of this, it must work for Southland as well as the rest of New Zealand.”

Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell said in a social media post that while the process and timeline would only become clear when the details were announced, the end point will inevitably be fewer Councils and a more efficient local government if done well.

"My reading of Govt intentions is that the final design will be in our hands rather than imposed on us."

"With a population of just over 100,000 most people would agree that having four elected Councils means Southland is over governed, and that adds cost to rates."

"So, while the devil will be in the details, the direction of travel is positive in my view."

Gore Mayor Ben Bell said that regardless of how people felt about their local Regional Council, it is incredibly unfair to announce a plan to remove democratically elected members less than two months after being elected.

"It calls into question our entire democratic system if those who put their names forward for public office can be turfed out moments after the people have voted them in."

"Much of the proposal is vague in its content, making an already very challenging and expensive time in Local Government that much more difficult."

Southland District Mayor Rob Scott floated the idea of Southland having just two new councils, one urban and one rural, in August 2024.

He estimated there would be a $10m saving.

Scott was unavailable for comment at time of going to print.