NZ Local Elections 2025

Environment Canterbury

Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi 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. are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region), including two councillors from the Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi  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.

Candidates

Policies

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Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment and biodiversity

Environment and biodiversity

Freshwater

Freshwater

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Freshwater

The worsening state of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers is a major challenge for regional councils, which play a leading role in managing freshwater in their areas. To this end, regional councils create plans to protect water resources from contaminants and overuse.

Freshwater

The worsening state of New Zealand’s lakes and rivers is a major challenge for regional councils, which play a leading role in managing freshwater in their areas. To this end, regional councils create plans to protect water resources from contaminants and overuse.

  • Address over-allocation of water for irrigation.

    Place the environment as a first order priority and make the economy a second order priority.

    Stop all new irrigation development until there is measurable improvement in groundwater quality.

  • Encourage water harvesting on farms and in all future subdivisions.

    Retire land that receives a C grade audit from farming activities.

    Strengthen oversight for contentious consenting issues.

  • Promote the efficient use of water resources.

    Support plans to continue to improve water quality.

    Recognise and celebrate not only those working to improve water quality but also successes in environmental improvement.

  • Address over-allocation of water for irrigation.

    Place the environment as a first order priority and make the economy a second order priority.

    Stop all new irrigation development until there is measurable improvement in groundwater quality.

  • Encourage water harvesting on farms and in all future subdivisions.

    Retire land that receives a C grade audit from farming activities.

    Strengthen oversight for contentious consenting issues.

  • Promote the efficient use of water resources.

    Support plans to continue to improve water quality.

    Recognise and celebrate not only those working to improve water quality but also successes in environmental improvement.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment and biodiversity

Environment and biodiversity

Freshwater

Freshwater

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

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Local council

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Regional council

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Local board

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