Mayor's column

There is almost a sense of déjà vu as I sit down to write this column. Over the past six years, local councils across New Zealand have been repeatedly directed to consider significant and often disruptive changes to the way local government operates; changes not seen since the 1989 reforms. From Three Waters, Affordable Waters, and the Future for Local Government Review, through to Local Water Done Well, and now the proposed restructuring of local and regional councils into unitary authorities, the pace and scale of reform has been relentless.

Over that time, there have been too many occasions where I have had to tell our district that the decision before us is among the most important in decades.

As I write this column, the reality before us is stark. Under what is described as a “voluntary” process, councils are being asked to decide whether to participate in proposals that may fundamentally reshape our district and our region.

By now, you will be aware of the Government’s direction requiring councils to put forward amalgamation proposals by 9 August 2026. I am extremely proud of our Council for proactively engaging with the community at the public meeting held on 14 May to hear your views on the path ahead.

The energy in the room on the 14th gave me confidence to begin conversations with neighbouring South Canterbury councils about possible ways forward. Your feedback, your questions, and most importantly, your trust in Council made one thing very clear: we need to be at the table where decisions are being discussed about our district and our future.

I want to be clear that if any proposal is not in the best interests of our district, Council is prepared to stand firm, even if that means walking away.

On 25 May, Deputy Mayor Sandy Mcalwee, Chief Executive Stuart Duncan and I met with representatives from Mackenzie, Waitaki, Ashburton, Timaru and Environment Canterbury. This was an exploratory discussion and an important first step, given the significance of what lies ahead. No decisions were made, and the only agreement reached was that we would continue discussions as we work through what this process means for our communities.

We have made a commitment to you: no decision about this district will be made without your involvement. That is a commitment we intend to honour.

Mayor Craig Rowley