17/03/2026
This is an opportunity for our community to engage with the Commission regarding the representation review. I encourage anyone who is interested in the amalgamation proposal to come along to this meeting.
It’s time to have your say about the future of local government in Southland.
Southland District Mayor Rob Scott proposed a reorganisation of local government in Southland 18 months ago, which recommended reducing the four councils we have now into two unitaries – one for Invercargill city and one for the rest of Southland. This would see the regional council responsibilities merged into the two unitaries.
Mr Scott says this proposal will reduce cost, improve efficiency, reduce complexity and keep the local in community decision-making. There’s also more alignment in catchments and the ability to have a one-stop shop for consenting. One of the essential principles is the retention of a local voice and empowering the community boards and river liaison committees to be able to do more through further delegations.
The Local Government Commission is the central government agency which will decide on this, and it determined in July 2025 the proposal met the criteria for investigation. That would include engagement with the communities across Southland, and this has started this week, with an online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q7FMZS8 This closes on 10 April.
The LGC is also coming south next week to hold physical meetings around the district as per the schedule below. Make sure you take the chance to share your views with the commission.
If you want more information on Mr Scott’s proposal, go to southlanddc.govt.nz and click on Local government reorganisation in the Quicklinks.
