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"Doesn't make sense": Govt looks to ease confusion and scrap regional councils

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 26 Nov 2025, 7:44am
Photo / Mark Mitchell
Photo / Mark Mitchell

"Doesn't make sense": Govt looks to ease confusion and scrap regional councils

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 26 Nov 2025, 7:44am

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says regional councils add layers of confusion, as he looks to scrap them. 

Consultation's open on the proposal which would see the councils abolished and replaced with boards made up of local Mayors. 

Boards would be required to put plans in place around re-organising services and infrastructure, which will be checked over and ticked off for financial sustainability. 

Chris Bishop told Mike Hosking there's enormous levels of complexity which people don't understand. 

He says in Wellington for example, the regional council runs the buses, but the city councils decide the road closures and where the bus stops are. 

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