Councillors have reaffirmed their support for mana whenua representatives at the decision-making table, voting to retain the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act.

The depth of feeling was evident during discussion at today’s Council meeting as several Councillors spoke of the gains that had been made since the Act passed into law in 2022, as well as the journey since first having Ngāi Tahu representation in 2010.

Better local decision making, reduced legal costs, more efficient use of staff time, and stronger relationships between Environment Canterbury and mana whenua, were among reasons cited for keeping the arrangement – which allows for the appointment of two Ngāi Tahu Councillors.

As part of the Coalition Government agreement between the National and ACT parties, they took steps to have the Ngāi Tahu Representation Act repealed.

Minister for Local Government Simeon Brown wrote to the Council asking Environment Canterbury to bring forward a local bill to repeal the Act. Parliament’s Standing Orders and practice guidelines say a local bill is needed to make changes to a local Act.

The report to the Council meeting was accompanied by letters from Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa and Te Rōpū Tuia Co-Chair Liz Brown, on behalf of the Papatipu Rūnanga of the region, supporting the current arrangement.

Councillors voted to keep the status quo. Chair Peter Scott will now send a letter to the Minister, informing him of Council’s decision.

Scott said today's outcome reaffirms the view that direct Ngāi Tahu representation is the appropriate way to enhance Council decision-making and provide for mana whenua input into decisions.

“The key thing is – it's working. Having mana whenua around the decision-making table makes the process quicker, more streamlined and less contentious. That includes reducing the amount of time and cost of resolving issues in court.

“We get better policies and regulations as a result of this relationship, which continues progress towards better environmental outcomes for the region.”

Liz Brown said Canterbury Regional Council has acted with integrity today.

“I mihi to all the Councillors who acted to protect mana whenua representation.

“The Crown pledged to Ngāi Tahu in our Treaty Settlement it would begin ‘a new age of cooperation and partnership’. It is essential to us in the context of this commitment that the Ngāi Tahu Representation Act remains in place.

“Under the Act we have an effective system of representation that benefits all.”

Read more about the background to our direct Ngāi Tahu representation, here.

Other key decisions made today:

Plan Change 8

Consultation, according to clause 3 of the Resource Management Act (RMA), will now take place on proposed, targeted amendments to the Land and Water Regional Plan, along with minor consequential changes to the Waipara Catchment Plan and the Hurunui Waiau Rivers Regional Plan. There is a proviso that additional parties, as directed by Council, be included in the clause 3 process.

The proposed changes are to address issues concerning take and use of water, wetland construction, and agricultural intensification. Formal notification will happen later, providing an opportunity for wider public consultation.

Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-35

Council approved the draft Canterbury Regional Public Transport plan for public consultation from 25 September until 24 October.

Council adopted the associated consultation document that highlights the key changes to the refreshed plan, subject to a few minor amendments.

Dangerous Dams

Council approved for consultation a proposed policy on dangerous dams, earthquake-prone dams and flood-prone dams.

The Council’s existing Dangerous Dams Policy was adopted in 2006 and does not reflect the new framework established in the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022, that took effect in May 2024.

The proposed policy outlines:

• How we will perform our legislative functions in relation to dangerous, earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams
• Our priorities when performing these functions
• How the policy will apply to heritage dams.

Public consultation will open in early September.

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