Environment Canterbury

Christchurch West/Ōpuna 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 West/Ōpuna 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.

  • Fix maximum rate rises below annual national inflation. Reduce spending plans to accommodate that ceiling in fairness to ratepayers.

    Allow 49% partnerships of council assets to release capital for wider community benefit while maintaining public ownership and control.

    Sell underperforming council assets that drain rates and reinvest that capital into safer more productive assets

  • Advocate for an improvement to the rates system as the current system is unfair and for too many is unaffordable.

    Seek to automate as many paper based services as possible to reduce costs to both council and users and streamline experiences.

  • Implement a climate change levy to enable greater funding and support for mitigation and adaptation.

    Retain council assets and work to improve current assets and acquire further income generating assets to help offset rates.

    Review and improve river rating and flood protection schemes to ensure a ki uta ki tai/whole of river approach to river management.

  • Propose rates to increase, but give the details on spending to the public through a road show rather than no face to face explanation.

    Restore the trust with transparency when reporting councils spending. This requires leadership that is honest and available.

    Link climate readiness Environment Canterbury rates to the carbon footprints of our businesses, our buildings and our lifestyles.

  • Fix maximum rate rises below annual national inflation. Reduce spending plans to accommodate that ceiling in fairness to ratepayers.

    Allow 49% partnerships of council assets to release capital for wider community benefit while maintaining public ownership and control.

    Sell underperforming council assets that drain rates and reinvest that capital into safer more productive assets

  • Advocate for an improvement to the rates system as the current system is unfair and for too many is unaffordable.

    Seek to automate as many paper based services as possible to reduce costs to both council and users and streamline experiences.

  • Implement a climate change levy to enable greater funding and support for mitigation and adaptation.

    Retain council assets and work to improve current assets and acquire further income generating assets to help offset rates.

    Review and improve river rating and flood protection schemes to ensure a ki uta ki tai/whole of river approach to river management.

  • Propose rates to increase, but give the details on spending to the public through a road show rather than no face to face explanation.

    Restore the trust with transparency when reporting councils spending. This requires leadership that is honest and available.

    Link climate readiness Environment Canterbury rates to the carbon footprints of our businesses, our buildings and our lifestyles.