Newly elected regional councillors are in for a big change, with sweeping Government reforms.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop recently unveiled plans to replace the country's 11 regional councils with boards consisting of local mayors. 

He suggests this will streamline decision-making, planning and infrastructure across regions.

LGNZ Regional Sector Chair Deon Swiggs says the mandate for mayors is different, so they wouldn't have expected to be on a regional board. 

"There might be some mayors that go - great, yep, we want to get our hands on that regional council. There will be others who go - this is not my jam, I don't want to do that, what are you thinking?"

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Newly elected regional councillors are in for a big change, with sweeping Government reforms.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop recently unveiled plans to replace the country's 11 regional councils with boards consisting of local mayors.&nbsp;
He suggests this will streamline decision-making, planning and infrastructure across regions.
LGNZ Regional Sector Chair Deon Swiggs says the mandate for mayors is different, so they wouldn't have expected to be on a regional board.&nbsp;
"There might be some mayors that go - great, yep, we want to get our hands on that regional council. There will be others who go - this is not my jam, I don't want to do that, what are you thinking?"
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Deon Swiggs: LGNZ Regional Sector Chair on the Government's new reforms set to impact local councils

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8b4cb1df-c420-46f7-a740-b3a0005de33a/transcript

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