Environment Canterbury

Christchurch South/Ōwhanga Constituency
Environment Canterbury is the regional council for Canterbury. It makes decisions about managing resources in the region, such as air, water, soil and the coastline. It also carries out plant and pest control, helps prepare for natural disasters, and is involved in regional transport. The council is made up of up to 16 councillors. 14 councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region), including two councillors from the Christchurch South/Ōwhanga constituency. Up to two councillors can be appointed by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Environment Canterbury election.

Environment and biodiversity

Protecting the environment and managing natural resources is a key responsibility of regional councils. Regional councils are often also involved in pest control and resource management.

Environment and biodiversity

Protecting the environment and managing natural resources is a key responsibility of regional councils. Regional councils are often also involved in pest control and resource management.

  • Support local organisations, iwi and landowners to protect and restore native forests and wetlands with fencing, planting and pest control.

    Increase marine habitat protection by preventing harmful fishing practices and avoiding excess nutrient and sediment inputs from land.

    Improve braided river habitats by giving the rivers more room to meander, more weed removal, predator control and increasing minimum flows.

  • Partner with other agencies and groups for greater planning and implementation of environmental projects, like plantings, clean ups, etc.

    Champion innovative methods to progress biodiversity projects and share around the successes to other projects to ensure more happens.

    Empower the public to access information and resources to help them learn and get involved in projects so they can support by doing locally.

  • Increase funding for maintaining and/or restoring native biodiversity and pest management.

    Maintain services around reducing pollution and ensure environmental incidents are dealt with in a timely way.

  • Promote native and regenerating bush, especially on farmland that is economically marginal. Create a network of bush corridors.

    Proactively publish data on key environmental indicators, such as air and water quality, in a way that is accessible to the general public.

    Encourage schemes that will divert as much waste away from landfills as possible, including recycling, food waste recovery, cloth nappies.

  • Support local organisations, iwi and landowners to protect and restore native forests and wetlands with fencing, planting and pest control.

    Increase marine habitat protection by preventing harmful fishing practices and avoiding excess nutrient and sediment inputs from land.

    Improve braided river habitats by giving the rivers more room to meander, more weed removal, predator control and increasing minimum flows.

  • Partner with other agencies and groups for greater planning and implementation of environmental projects, like plantings, clean ups, etc.

    Champion innovative methods to progress biodiversity projects and share around the successes to other projects to ensure more happens.

    Empower the public to access information and resources to help them learn and get involved in projects so they can support by doing locally.

  • Increase funding for maintaining and/or restoring native biodiversity and pest management.

    Maintain services around reducing pollution and ensure environmental incidents are dealt with in a timely way.

  • Promote native and regenerating bush, especially on farmland that is economically marginal. Create a network of bush corridors.

    Proactively publish data on key environmental indicators, such as air and water quality, in a way that is accessible to the general public.

    Encourage schemes that will divert as much waste away from landfills as possible, including recycling, food waste recovery, cloth nappies.