Environment Southland

Invercargill-Rakiura Constituency
Environment Southland is the regional council for Southland. 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 12 councillors. Councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region). Six councillors will be elected from the Invercargill-Rakiura constituency. 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 Southland election.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Support our already-strong co-governance arrangements with manawhenua.

    Open council workshops to the public.

    Encourage greater numbers of petitions and presentations from members of the public.

  • Encourage and facilitate public engagement with the council. Continue the support of community led groups such as catchment groups.

    Ensure there is continued representation of local iwi on the council and its committees.

    Ensure the council maintains open and transparent processes with meetings being open to the public and minimise in-committee meetings.

  • Strengthen and grow authentic relationships with mana whenua and mana moana, and encourage more indigenous voices to be heard at council.

    Support people to come and present their views and concerns at council meetings and community forums.

    Increase public participation in focus groups and workshops.

  • Continue with public forums on major issues with a focus on those that are community-based.

    Build resilience amongst workforce to encourage stability and skill based employment.

  • Advocate for focus group interactions to achieve input from more Southland communities.

    Recognise treaty responsibilities and seek broader understanding of co-governance for council and communities.

  • Enhance and improve public engagement through all forms of communication, particularly face-to-face meetings.

    Continue to engage with Māori in all aspects of council business, encouraging participation and input to governance.

    Take a leadership role across the region around climate resilience and disaster management.

  • Support our already-strong co-governance arrangements with manawhenua.

    Open council workshops to the public.

    Encourage greater numbers of petitions and presentations from members of the public.

  • Encourage and facilitate public engagement with the council. Continue the support of community led groups such as catchment groups.

    Ensure there is continued representation of local iwi on the council and its committees.

    Ensure the council maintains open and transparent processes with meetings being open to the public and minimise in-committee meetings.

  • Strengthen and grow authentic relationships with mana whenua and mana moana, and encourage more indigenous voices to be heard at council.

    Support people to come and present their views and concerns at council meetings and community forums.

    Increase public participation in focus groups and workshops.

  • Continue with public forums on major issues with a focus on those that are community-based.

    Build resilience amongst workforce to encourage stability and skill based employment.

  • Advocate for focus group interactions to achieve input from more Southland communities.

    Recognise treaty responsibilities and seek broader understanding of co-governance for council and communities.

  • Enhance and improve public engagement through all forms of communication, particularly face-to-face meetings.

    Continue to engage with Māori in all aspects of council business, encouraging participation and input to governance.

    Take a leadership role across the region around climate resilience and disaster management.