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.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Put council services and performance ahead of ideological obsessions with cutting rates.

    Refuse to contribute any rates towards the Christchurch Stadium, a project that is the responsibility of the city council that voted for it.

    Invest in projects that will have long-term benefits, such as a climate mitigation, and mass transit.

  • Advocate for increased central government funding for Greater Christchurch public transport including mass rapid transit.

    Identify opportunities for improving outcomes for dollar spend eg. increase pest management to reduce damage to habitat and productive land.

    Reduce regulatory costs by promoting leadership in sustainable practices and normalising environmental care.

  • Increase partnerships with other organisations to share the load on projects that are of similar purpose and interest, like plantings, etc.

    Increase partnerships with various stakeholder organizations in order to secure funding for larger scale projects that benefit everyone.

    Increase the number of grant applications to receive more aid from central government for large scale partnership projects.

  • Ensure good value in the use of public money.

  • Put council services and performance ahead of ideological obsessions with cutting rates.

    Refuse to contribute any rates towards the Christchurch Stadium, a project that is the responsibility of the city council that voted for it.

    Invest in projects that will have long-term benefits, such as a climate mitigation, and mass transit.

  • Advocate for increased central government funding for Greater Christchurch public transport including mass rapid transit.

    Identify opportunities for improving outcomes for dollar spend eg. increase pest management to reduce damage to habitat and productive land.

    Reduce regulatory costs by promoting leadership in sustainable practices and normalising environmental care.

  • Increase partnerships with other organisations to share the load on projects that are of similar purpose and interest, like plantings, etc.

    Increase partnerships with various stakeholder organizations in order to secure funding for larger scale projects that benefit everyone.

    Increase the number of grant applications to receive more aid from central government for large scale partnership projects.

  • Ensure good value in the use of public money.