Consultation Opens on Proposal for Simplifying Local Government
Consultation Opens on Proposal for Simplifying Local Government
Wednesday 26 November, 2025
On Tuesday afternoon the Ministers of Local Government and of RMA Reform released the Government’s proposals for ‘simpler, more cost-effective local government.’ A copy of the draft proposal for public discussion can be found here - Simplifying Local Government : A draft proposal.
The Government proposes a re-set of local government by replacing regional councillors with Combined Territories Boards (CTBs), each made up of the mayors of territorial authorities within existing regions. Crown commissioners or observers may also be part of the CTB make up. Each CTB will develop a regional reorganisation plan setting out how their councils can work together to deliver services more effectively and efficiently, and which will become the basis for future decisions about how local government is organised. Such plans are likely to include amalgamation of some territorial authorities and the creation of unitary authorities. Final plans would be approved by the Minister of Local Government rather than through polls of referenda.
The Department of Internal Affairs has set up a website to provide information that can be accessed here - Simplifying Local Government.
Submissions can be made until Friday 20 February 2026.
