Councils Hope To Confirm New Water Committees Soon

Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 3:49 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

North Canterbury’s councils are hoping to finalise their new freshwater committees after October’s elections.

The region’s 10 water zone committees were disbanded earlier this year by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which represents the region’s mayors. 

The committees are set to be replaced local leadership groups comprising representatives from local councils, Environment Canterbury (ECan) and local Rūnanga. 

The new boundaries are likely to change to align with catchment areas rather than district borders.

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said too much change from the existing zones may not be the best outcome. 

"We are looking at whether to cross into Christchurch or parts of Hurunui, but we don’t want the focus to change.’’ 

Mr Gordon said existing zones with added representation from the council, ECan, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri and community may work best and that there were other ways to discuss joint interests in the same water source. 

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said a flexible approach was needed. 

‘‘The boundaries haven’t been defined yet, but we have found that one size doesn’t fit all.’’ 

The Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zone Committee was the first committee to be formed under the CWMS in 2010 but was disbanded in 2020. 

In the wake of the zone committee, the Hurunui District Landcare Group and the Hurunui Biodiversity Trust have been formed, while other organisations such as the Amuri Irrigation Company have stepped into the water management space. 

Mrs Black said her council has proposed forming a land and water committee and is working with ECan, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and community stakeholders. 

‘‘These things work best from the ground up and our community stakeholders are doing some amazing work in engaging with landowners and key personnel, so the best thing to do would be to let them grow.’’ 

Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said his council plans to meet with ECan staff and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura to discuss what the new local leadership group will like. 

But it will be up to the incoming council to decide on the final make up on the group. 

‘‘We will be clarifying the roles for each partner, which under the new model is the local council, ECan and iwi, but for us the community role is very important and we want to make sure it’s included. 

‘‘We were known for being one of the zone committees which was very functional, so we need to make sure whatever is set up in its place continues the momentum and builds on the work of the zone committee.’’ 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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