New Zealand is divided into sixteen regions (Māori: ngā rohe) for local government purposes. Eleven are administered by regional councils (the top tier of local government), and five are administered by unitary authorities, which are territorial authorities (otherwise the second tier of local government) that also perform the functions of regional councils.[1][2] The Chatham Islands Council is not a region but is similar to a unitary authority, authorised under its own legislation.[3]
Current regions
History and statutory basis
The regional councils are listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 2002,[4] along with reference to the Gazette notices that established them in 1989.[5] The Act requires regional councils to promote sustainable development – the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their communities.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8] This anticipated the responsibilities of the Resource Management Act 1991.[9] Most regional boundaries conform with territorial authority boundaries but there are a number of exceptions. An example is Taupo District, split between four regions, although most of its area is in the Waikato region.[10] There is often a high degree of co-operation between regional and territorial councils as they have complementary roles.
Regional councils are popularly elected every three years in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001,[25] except for the Canterbury regional council, which is a mixture of elected councillors and government appointed commissioners.[26] Councils may use a first-past-the-post or single transferable vote system. The chairperson is selected by the elected council members.[27]
Finances
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, though the mechanism for collecting it usually involves channelling through the territorial authority collection system.[28]
The Wellington Regional Council was first formed in 1980 from a merger of the Wellington Regional Planning Authority and the Wellington Regional Water Board.[30]
United councils
In 1978, legislation was passed enabling the formation of regions with united councils. Twenty regions were designated, excluding the Auckland and Wellington areas. For most of the country this was the first 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.[7]
List of united councils
Region
United council 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.
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(a)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(b)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(c)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(d)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(e)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(f)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(fa)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991. NB this is a new paragraph added in 2005.
^Resource Management Act, Section 30(1)(g)- Parliament of New Zealand, 1991
^Harris, R. (2004) 'Local government and development legislation', Chapter 3G, Handbook of Environmental Law, Editor Harris, R., ISBN0-9597851-8-3, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, Wellington 2004, p. 130.
^Sections 135, 142, 150, and 154 Building Act 2004, Parliament of New Zealand.
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