Jump to content

Regions of New Zealand

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Regions of New Zealand
Northland RegionAuckland RegionWaikato RegionTaranakiBay of Plenty RegionGisborne DistrictHawke's BayManawatū-WhanganuiWellington RegionNelson, New ZealandTasman DistrictMarlborough DistrictCanterbury RegionOtagoSouthland RegionSouthland RegionWest Coast Region
Location New Zealand
Created
  • 1 November 1989
Number16 (as of 1 July 1992)
Populations34,700 (West Coast) – 1,816,000 (Auckland)
Areas450 km2 (172 sq mi) (Nelson) – 45,350 km2 (17,508 sq mi) (Canterbury)
Government
  • Regional councils and unitary authorities
Politics of New Zealand
Constitution
The Crown
Executive Government
Legislature
54th New Zealand Parliament
Elections
Judiciary
Local government
Foreign relations
Ideologies
History
Related topics
flag New Zealand portal

The regions of New Zealand are the administrative jurisdictions of the country's regional councils and unitary authorities; the country is divided into sixteen such areas. The councils derive their powers from the central government, as New Zealand is a unitary state rather than a federation.

Eleven are currently administered by regional councils, whilst the other five are administered by unitary authorities.[a] Most of New Zealand's outlying Islands are not included within its regions, with the Solander Islands being the exception as they are within the Southland Region. The Chatham Islands are not within any region, having their own specially legislated territorial authority.

Current regions

[edit]

History and statutory basis

[edit]

The regional councils are listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 2002,[1] along with reference to the Gazette notices that established them in 1989.[2] The act requires regional councils to promote sustainable development – the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their communities.[3]

The current regions and most of their councils came into being through a local government reform in 1989 that took place under the Local Government Act 1974. The regional councils replaced the more than 700 ad hoc bodies that had been formed in the preceding century – roads boards, catchment boards, drainage boards, pest control boards, harbour boards, domain and reserve boards.[4] In addition they took over some roles that had previously been performed by county councils.

The boundaries of the regions are based largely on drainage basins.[5] This anticipated the responsibilities of the Resource Management Act 1991.[6] Most regional boundaries conform with territorial authority boundaries but there are a number of exceptions. An example is Taupō District, split between four regions, although most of its area is in the Waikato region.[7] There is often a high degree of co-operation between regional and territorial councils as they have complementary roles.

Resource management functions

[edit]

Regional councils have these specific functions under the Resource Management Act 1991:

  • Planning for the integrated management of natural and physical resources[8]
  • Planning for regionally significant land uses[9]
  • Soil conservation, water quality and quantity, water ecosystems, natural hazards, hazardous substances [10]
  • Controlling the coastal marine area[11]
  • Controlling via resource consents the taking, use, damming or diverting of water [12]
  • Controlling via resource consents the discharge of contaminants[13]
  • Establishing of rules in a regional plan to allocate water[14]
  • Controlling via resource consents the beds of waterbodies[15]

Other functions

[edit]

Regional councils have responsibility for functions under other statutes;[16]

  • flood and river control under the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941,
  • reserves vested in regional councils under the Reserves Act 1977,
  • civil defence under the Civil Defence Act 1990,
  • regional pest management under the Biosecurity Act 1993,
  • harbour and water navigation under the Maritime Transport Act 1994,
  • hazardous waste under the HSNO Act 1996,
  • public transport planning under the Land Transport Act 1998, and
  • supervision of the safety of dams under the Building Act 2004.[17]

Proposed abolition

[edit]

In mid 2025, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones proposed scrapping the 11 regional councils as part of the Sixth National Government's proposed overhaul of the Resource Management Act 1991.[18] In late November 2025, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the Government would seek to abolish regional councils and transfer their responsibilities to the 67 local district and city councils.[19][20]

The Government has released two replacement proposals. First, abolishing elected regional councillors and replacing them with Combined Territories Boards (CTBs). These CTBs would consist of the mayors of the district councils within the former regions. While the regional councils as organisations would remain, they would be run by the mayors of the constituent regions. The Government's second proposal would be to get the Combined Territories Boards to prepare a regional reorganisation plan within two years of their establishment, subject to approval by the Local Government Minister. These plans would focus on the delivery of infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions, and would be tested against criteria based on housing, infrastructure, and manageable rates services.[20] Public consultation on the proposed legislative changes is open until 20 February 2026. The legislation is expected to be introduced in mid-2026 with the goal of passing it into law by 2027.[19]

The Government's proposal to abolish the regional councils attracted a mixture of reactions. The proposal was supported by Otago Regional councillor Michael Laws and Dunedin City councillor Lee Vandervis, who described the regional councils as an "excessive level" of bureaucracy and argued that their dissolution would lower rates and red tape.[21] By contrast, the proposal was opposed by Mayor of Wellington Andrew Little, Otago Regional councillor Alan Somerville, Te Wānanga o Raukawa environmental planning lecturer Dr Mahina-a-rangi Baker, Te Rununga O Makaawhio chair Paul Madgwick and Mayor of Dunedin Sophie Barker on the grounds that abolishing the regional councils would erode environmental protections, reduce Māori input in regional-level decision-making, infringe on Treaty of Waitangi obligations and add further to mayors and territorial authorities' workloads.[21][22][23][24][25] Meanwhile, Mayor of Central Otago Tamah Alley, Mayor of Gisborne Rehette Stoltz and Labour leader Chris Hipkins expressed concerns about accountability, the loss of technical expertise, and the nature of the proposed reforms.[21][23][26]

List of regions

[edit]
Name
(name in Māori if different) 		Regional council Seats Council seat Land area[27] Population[28] Density ISO 3166-2 Code
km2 sq mi per km2 per sq mi
1 Northland
Te Tai Tokerau 		Northland Regional Council 9 Whangārei 12,504 4,828 201,100 16.08 41.6 NZ-NTL
2 Auckland[b]
Tāmaki-makau-rau 		Auckland Council 21 Auckland 4,941 1,908 1,816,000 367.54 951.9 NZ-AUK
3 Waikato Waikato Regional Council 14 Hamilton 23,900 9,200 532,100 22.26 57.7 NZ-WKO
4 Bay of Plenty
Te Moana-a-Toi 		Bay of Plenty Regional Council 14 Whakatāne 12,072 4,661 351,500 29.12 75.4 NZ-BOP
5 Gisborne[b][c]
Te Tairāwhiti 		Gisborne District Council 14 Gisborne 8,385 3,237 52,700 6.29 16.3 NZ-GIS
6 Hawke's Bay
Te Matau-a-Māui 		Hawke's Bay Regional Council 11 Napier 14,138 5,459 179,700 12.71 32.9 NZ-HKB
7 Taranaki Taranaki Regional Council 11 Stratford 7,254 2,801 130,300 17.96 46.5 NZ-TKI
8 Manawatū-Whanganui Horizons Regional Council 12 Palmerston North 22,221 8,580 260,700 11.73 30.4 NZ-MWT
9 Wellington
Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara 		Greater Wellington Regional Council 13 Wellington 8,049 3,108 543,400 67.51 174.9 NZ-WGN
10 Tasman[b]
Te Tai-o-Aorere 		Tasman District Council 13 Richmond 9,616 3,713 59,900 6.23 16.1 NZ-TAS
11 Nelson[b]
Whakatū 		Nelson City Council 13 Nelson 422 163 54,300 128.67 333.3 NZ-NSN
12 Marlborough[b]
Te Tauihu-o-te-waka 		Marlborough District Council 14 Blenheim 10,458 4,038 50,800 4.84 12.5 NZ-MBH
13 West Coast
Te Tai Poutini 		West Coast Regional Council 7 Greymouth 23,245 8,975 34,700 1.49 3.9 NZ-WTC
14 Canterbury
Waitaha 		Environment Canterbury 14 Christchurch 44,504 17,183 698,200 15.69 40.6 NZ-CAN
15 Otago
Ōtākou 		Otago Regional Council 12 Dunedin 31,186 12,041 253,900 8.14 21.1 NZ-OTA
16 Southland
Murihiku 		Southland Regional Council 12 Invercargill 31,196 12,045 104,800 3.36 8.7 NZ-STL

Notes

  1. ^ Unitary authorities are territorial authorities that also have the powers of a regional council.
  2. ^ a b c d e These regions have unitary authorities.
  3. ^ The Gisborne Region is still widely but unofficially known by its former name East Cape or as the East Coast.[29]

Areas outside regional boundaries

[edit]
A map of New Zealand showing regional and district boundaries
Regions (indicated by colour) displayed over territorial authorities

Some outlying islands are not included within regional boundaries. The Chatham Islands is not in a region, although its council has some of the powers of a regional council under the Resource Management Act 1991. The Kermadecs and the subantarctic islands are inhabited only by a small number of Department of Conservation staff and there is no regional council for these islands.[30]

Governance

[edit]

Regional councils are popularly elected every three years in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001.[31] Councils may use a first-past-the-post or single transferable vote system. The chairperson is selected by the elected council members.[32]

Finances

[edit]

Regional councils are funded through property rates, subsidies from central government, income from trading, and user charges for certain public services. Councils set their own levels of rates,[33] though the mechanism for collecting it usually involves channelling through the territorial authority collection system.

Regional chairs

[edit]
List of current regional chairs
Region Chair Affiliation Elected
Northland Pita Tipene Independent 5 November 2025[34]
Waikato Warren Maher Rates Control Team 29 October 2025[35]
Bay of Plenty Matemoana McDonald Independent October 2025[36]
Hawke's Bay Sophie Siers Independent 29 October 2025[37]
Taranaki Craig Williamson Independent 18 February 2025[38]
Manawatū-Whanganui Nikki Riley Independent 29 October 2025[39]
Greater Wellington Daran Ponter Labour October 2019[40][41]
West Coast Colin Smith Independent 29 October 2025[42]
Canterbury Deon Swiggs Independent 29 October 2025[43]
Otago Hilary Calvert Vision Otago 29 October 2025[44]
Southland Jeremy McPhail Independent October 2025[45]

Predecessors of current structure

[edit]

Auckland

[edit]

The Auckland Regional Council (now the Auckland Council) was preceded by the Auckland Regional Authority (ARA), which existed from 1963 to 1989.[46]

Wellington

[edit]

The Wellington Regional Council was first formed in 1980 from a merger of the Wellington Regional Planning Authority and the Wellington Regional Water Board.[47]

United councils

[edit]

In 1978, legislation was passed enabling the formation of regions that had united councils. Twenty regions were designated, excluding the Auckland and Wellington areas. For most of the country this was the first time there had been a regional level of government since the abolition of provinces in 1876. Councillors were not elected directly – they were appointed from the various territorial local authorities (TLAs) within the region.

The only responsibilities mandated by the legislation were coordination of civil defence and development of a regional plan, although the constituent TLAs could agree on additional responsibilities at the point of formation of each united council. For example, in a number of cases the united council took responsibility for the allocation of revenue from regional petrol taxes.

The united councils were based in the facilities of the largest TLA in the region and largely dependent on the TLAs for resources. They were allowed to levy rates but in most cases had minimal operating budgets (below $100,000 per annum). The notable exception was Canterbury, where the united council had a number of responsibilities. Only one united council undertook any direct operational activity – a forestry project in Wanganui.[4]

List of united councils
Region When formed Levy rates (1982/83)
Northland January 1980 $118,000
Thames Valley July 1980 $46,000
Waikato October 1980 $36,000
Bay of Plenty August 1979 $17,000
Tongariro November 1979 $50,000
East Cape August 1979 $16,000
Hawke's Bay December 1983 –
Taranaki February 1979 $60,000
Wanganui May 1979 $81,000
Wairarapa November 1978 $33,000
Manawatu May 1981 0
Horowhenua June 1980 $47,000
Nelson Bays November 1978 $84,000
Marlborough December 1978 $30,000
Canterbury May 1979 $605,000
West Coast November 1978 $32,000
Aorangi 1983 –
Coastal / North Otago April 1983 –
Clutha / Central Otago November 1980 $33,000
Southland May 1979 $88,000

Source: Summary of the Functions and Activities of United Councils. Dept of Internal Affairs, 1984.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Local Government Act 2002 No 84 - Interpretation". Retrieved 17 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Local Government Act 2002 No 84 - Part 1, Schedule 2". Retrieved 17 July 2008.
  3. ^ Relationship between the Local Government Act and the RMA Archived 25 March 2006 at the Wayback Machine Quality Planning The RMA Resource, retrieved 11 October 2007.
  4. ^ a b Bush, Graham (1995). Local Government & Politics in New Zealand (2nd ed.). Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-126-3.
  5. ^ OECD Territorial Reviews OECD Territorial Reviews: The Metropolitan Region of Rotterdam-The Hague, Netherlands. OECD Publishing. 2016. p. 169. ISBN 9789264249387.
  6. ^ New Zealand Historical Atlas – McKinnon, Malcolm (Editor); David Bateman, 1997, Plate 98
  7. ^ "Property Asset Management Plan 2015-2025" (PDF). Taupo District Council. November 2017. p. 2. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  8. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(a)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  9. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(b)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  10. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(c)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  11. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(d)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  12. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(e)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  13. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(f)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  14. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(fa)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991. NB this is a new paragraph added in 2005.
  15. ^ Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(g)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
  16. ^ Harris, R. (2004). "Local government and development legislation", Chapter 3G, Handbook of Environmental Law, Harris, R. (ed.), ISBN 0-9597851-8-3, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, Wellington, p. 130.
  17. ^ Sections 135, 142, 150, and 154 Building Act 2004, Parliament of New Zealand.
  18. ^ McNeill, Jeffrey (2 July 2025). "Memo to Shane Jones: what if NZ needs more regional government, not less?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  19. ^ a b Palmer, Russell (25 November 2025). "No more regional councils - major shake-up of local government announced". RNZ. Archived from the original on 25 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  20. ^ a b Coughlan, Thomas (25 November 2025). "Government proposes scrapping regional councillors and nudging councils towards amalgamation". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 26 November 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  21. ^ a b c Hepburn, Steve (26 November 2025). "Mixed reactions to end of ORC". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Pita Tipene: is it goodbye to Regional Councils?". Waatea News. 26 November 2025. Archived from the original on 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Regional council revamp 'pretty serious attack' on Treaty rights - Andrew Little". RNZ. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Regional council overhaul an attempt to narrow Māori influence, yet again, expert warns". Te Ao Māori News. 26 November 2025. Archived from the original on 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  25. ^ Williams, Lois (28 November 2025). "Mayors can't represent Māori - West Coast iwi chair". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Intent behind regional council reform is "not clear", Hipkins says". Newstalk ZB. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  27. ^ "Regional Council 2020 Clipped (generalised)". Stats NZ. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  28. ^ "Subnational population estimates - Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  29. ^ Soutar, Monty (1 March 2015). "East Coast places - Gisborne". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  30. ^ "NZ Outlying Islands Regional Information & Travel Information". www.tourism.net.nz. New Zealand Tourism Guide. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  31. ^ Local Government Act 2002, s41(1)(a), Parliament of New Zealand
  32. ^ Local Government Act 2002, s41(1)(b), Parliament of New Zealand.
  33. ^ "Local Government (Rating) Act 2002". localcouncils.govt.nz. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Pita Tipene is new NRC chair, Jack Craw deputy". Northland Regional Council. 5 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  35. ^ "Waikato Regional Council chair and deputy selected". Waikato Regional Council. 30 October 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  36. ^ "Bay of Plenty Regional Council elects first-ever wahine Māori Chair". Bay of Plenty Regional Council. October 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  37. ^ "Hawke's Bay Regional Council – our Councillors". Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  38. ^ "Council elects new chairperson". Taranaki Regional Council. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  39. ^ "Horizons Regional Council elects Nikki Riley as chair". Horizons Regional Council. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  40. ^ Long, Jessica (30 October 2019). "Daran Ponter promises to fix Wellington's bus system as Greater Wellington Regional Council chairman". Stuff. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  41. ^ "Greater Wellington re-elects chair and deputy chair and warns of fiscal challenges of next three years". Greater Wellington Regional Council . 30 October 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  42. ^ "New West Coast Regional Council Sworn In" (Press release). West Coast Regional Council. Scoop. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  43. ^ Harvie, Will (29 October 2025). "ECan councillors back Deon Swiggs as new chairperson". The Press. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  44. ^ Hepburn, Steve (29 October 2025). "Calvert elected chair of ORC". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  45. ^ "Environment Southland committees set". The Press. The Southland Times. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 30 November 2025.
  46. ^ "Auckland Regional Authority, 1988". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  47. ^ Parks Network Plan (PDF). Greater Wellington Regional Council. 2011. p. 10. Retrieved 3 May 2014.


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Regions_of_New_Zealand&oldid=1327406403"