The Canterbury Regional Council will not return to full elections until 2019, with the details on how the Government will restore democracy to the authority announced this afternoon.
A protest in central Christchurch in May last year against the Government's sacking of the elected members of the Canterbury Regional Council. Photo: RNZ / Jemma Brackebush
Councillors were sacked in 2010, and replaced with government-appointed commissioners.
In March, Environment Minister Nick Smith released a draft discussion document on the transition back to elected councillors.
Today in Christchurch, Dr Smith and Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston confirmed the council will move to a mixed governance model of seven elected and up to six appointed councillors in 2016, as a transition to a fully elected council in 2019.
The public will have a further opportunity to make submissions later this year, when the decisions made today are included in a parliamentary bill.