Setting priorities and preparing to engage on upcoming reforms has been a focus for regional and unitary councils at the first LGNZ sector meeting of the new triennium, as the sector gears up for a 'pivotal' period for local and regional councils.

At today’s LGNZ sector meeting, newly elected Chairs and unitary Mayors met for the first time to talk about a range of topics affecting the sector. The event also saw Dr Deon Swiggs, Chair of Environment Canterbury elected as LGNZ’s regional sector Chair.

Dr Swiggs says he is excited to lead the LGNZ regional sector for the upcoming term.

“We’re navigating unprecedented change as the Government implements its resource management (RM) reform programme and reshapes the regional and local government landscape,” says Dr Swiggs.

“Given the uncertainty around RM and the future function and form of local government, strong regional leadership and a strong regional voice is more vital than ever. Regional councils play an important role in ensuring our regional economies and natural environment thrive, and we are strongly focussed on delivering these with a focus on delivering value to our communities.

“One of our priorities with RM reform is to ensure regional councils are front and centre of designing the new system; so that the transitional period doesn’t create more uncertainty for our economy or our environment, or for people who interact with the functions of regional councils.”

Dr Swiggs believes regulatory uncertainty and funding challenges are two of the most significant issues faced by the regional sector.

“Regulatory uncertainty can have a flow-on effect; that uncertainty can flow through to work programmes and is reflected in the confidence we have with the communities we interact with.

“Current funding for biodiversity, biosecurity and flood resilience are all inadequate and we need to step it up. We need to ensure we have good programmes that can deliver big wins, so we can show the Government this is a good way of working, and secure long term sustainable investment.”

Regional Sector deputy chair and Mayor of Gisborne, Rehette Stoltz says the LGNZ regional sector has seen a high turnover of Chairs following local elections.

“We’ve seen new Chairs elected in nine of the 11 regional councils, with many of them attending our Chairs Induction on Thursday. We’re pleased to see Greater Wellington Chair Daran Ponter return, and we acknowledge his leadership of the LGNZ regional sector as sector chair in the previous term,” says Rehette Stoltz.

“It’s also great to see two Regional Council Chairs elected from Māori constituencies for the first time.

“People often don’t understand the role of regional councils, particularly in urban environments, so there’s work to do to make sure we’re clear about our relevancy and the value that we add.

“If we’re going to uplift our economy and deliver outcomes for our environment, regional councils need to be in the best position to help make that happen.”

Dr Deon Swiggs, LGNZ Regional Sector Chair

Dr Deon Swiggs is Chair of Environment Canterbury (Canterbury Regional Council). First elected to the Council in 2022 representing the Christchurch West/Ōpuna constituency, he previously served as Deputy Chair before being elected to his current role. He also served as a Christchurch City Councillor.

Originally from rural Taranaki, Dr Swiggs brings diverse experience including service as a navigation officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy and as founder-director of the Rebuild Christchurch Foundation. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration and is an accredited Resource Management Act Commissioner.

"I am honoured to lead the regional sector during this pivotal period for local and regional government. We are navigating unprecedented change as the Government implements its resource management reform programme and reshapes the regional and local government landscape. While significant challenges lie ahead, we also face extraordinary opportunities.

“The priority must be to ensure regional councils are front and centre in designing these system changes, demonstrating the essential value of regional leadership in New Zealand's governance framework. We need to actively shape these reforms rather than simply adapt to them. I look forward to working with colleagues across the sector and in Wellington to establish clear pathways that leverage our regional expertise and ensure our communities' successful transition to the new legislative framework.”

About LGNZ: 
LGNZ champions, connects and supports local government. We represent the national interest of councils across New Zealand to deliver more of what matters in their communities. LGNZ is involved in policy, reforms, programmes, and advocacy as well as providing advice, consultancy and training to councils and their staff.

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