Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon. Photo: David Hill/North Canterbury News
North Canterbury's councils are facing ''a tsunami of changes'' from the Government in the lead up to Christmas.
The region's mayors say they need time to digest new the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms to understand their impact, following Tuesday's announcement.
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon and Kaikōura's Craig Mackle are still reeling from the Government's recent announcement it will abolish regional councils and pass the responsibilities on to mayors.
Under proposed local government reforms, the country's 11 regional councils will be replaced by 11 combined territories boards comprising the region's mayors.
Regional functions will fall to the mayors, with the boards having two years, from when the legislation passes, to develop a regional reorganisation plan, which will need to be approved by Local Government Minister.
There has been speculation the Christchurch City Council could form a unitary council on its own or including Selwyn and Waimakariri.
But Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the economic viability of Canterbury needed the city and rural Canterbury to work together.
''I don't think it is particularly helpful they are having that discussion.''
Black said local government reform had been on the agenda for sometime, with the previous Government also looking at it.
''It's about simplifying local government, but what will the impact be for a small district like ours.
''It's unclear what regional responsibilities will remain. What are the details of the proposal?''
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black. Photo: Supplied / Hurunui District Council
Gordon said he looked forward to having conversations with his mayoral colleagues in the New Year.
''Until we see where the RMA reform is at, we haven't got the full picture.''
The Canterbury Regional Council administers the RMA, pest control, emergency management, public transport and river management.
''Whatever changes come about, maintaining that connection, accessibility, and accountability to Waimakariri residents is paramount,'' Gordon said.
''We will be putting forward a comprehensive submission ahead of the February 20 deadline.''
He said any new responsibilities needed to be clear and with sufficient funding ''so costs are not unfairly shifted on to households''.
Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said it was challenging for small councils to keep up with the ''tsunami of changes''.
With just 3000 ratepayers, taking on regional responsibilities by itself would likely mean a significant rate rise for Kaikōura ratepayers.
There were several options, including shared services with other councils, forming a joint council controlled organisation with neighbouring councils to carry out the work or amalgamation.
Kaikōura already has relationships with the Hurunui, Waimakariri and Marlborough district councils.
Mayor Craig Mackle said he is open to anything which improves the situation for Kaikōura, including amalgamation with either North Canterbury or Marlborough.
''But it has to be an improvement.''
Craig Mackle. Photo: Hurunui District Council / supplied
There were several details to resolve for the combined territories board, including whether it would be one mayor, one vote, or be based on population, with more than half of Canterbury's residents living in Christchurch.
The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, made up of the region's mayors, meets four times a year, but the new board would likely meet more regularly, possibly once a month.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.