Government proposes replacing regional councils with boards of mayors

Tuesday 25 November 2025 · 8 outlets · 7 reports · updated Tue 25 Nov 2025, 9:02pm

In this story Chris Bishop, Simon Watts

The Government plans to abolish New Zealand's 11 regional councils and replace them with 11 Combined Territories Boards. These boards would consist of city and district mayors taking over regional decision-making duties. Ministers describe the proposal as a significant reform intended to make local government fit for purpose.

How they headlined it

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5pm9:02pm

1. StuffTue 25 Nov 2025, 5:00pm

   Ministers want mayors to take over regional councils, as they pitch amalgamation (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldTue 25 Nov 2025, 5:00pm

   Government proposes scrapping regional councillors and nudging councils towards amalgamation (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsTue 25 Nov 2025, 5:02pm

   Govt plans sweeping changes to how regional councils work (opens in new tab)

4. Waikato Times via The PostTue 25 Nov 2025, 5:07pm

   Regional councils replaced by boards of mayors in radical Government push (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesTue 25 Nov 2025, 5:08pm

   Regional councils would be scrapped in major local government overhaul (opens in new tab)

6. The PressTue 25 Nov 2025, 5:26pm

   Mayors could rule as ECan faces the chopping block (opens in new tab)

7. RNZTue 25 Nov 2025, 9:02pm

   No more regional councils - major shake-up of local government announced (opens in new tab)