Two options for local government change in Southland continues

The announcement today by the Local Government Commission to move into Phase two of its investigation into the reorganisation of councils in Murihiku Southland means the region has two options for change.

The Local Government Commission has been exploring the case for change since 7 July 2025 and has today decided to progress its investigation with more stakeholder and public engagement.

On 5 May the Government announced its Head Start Pathway, encouraging individual councils in an area, to combine into unitary councils. It has given a three-month window for councils to put forward a proposal outline.

Environment Southland Chair Jeremy McPhail said the Council is happy to support either or both processes.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that essential functions such as flood risk mitigation, climate and hazard planning, and biosecurity are delivered effectively and at the right scale. These challenges don’t stop at district boundaries, and they are best managed at a regional or catchment level. If Southland chooses to go with a unitary model for the future, we think one unitary council for the region, as a whole, would be the most effective and cost-efficient.”

Chair Jeremy McPhail said the Local Government Commission’s investigation provides a good opportunity for the public to get more involved in the decision-making for Southland’s future.

“This is a great opportunity for those who didn’t take part in the first phase to get involved and share their views.

“While the Government’s Head Start Pathway doesn’t allow much time for public input, it’s not to say this couldn’t occur even after the councils have put forward an outline proposal for reorganisation.”