Replace elected regional councils with boards of mayors
What it actually does
Ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts proposed in November 2025 that New Zealand's 11 regional councils be governed by "combined territories boards" of city and district mayors instead of separately elected regional councillors, followed by regional reorganisation plans. The government hopes legislation will pass by 2027.
Source: 1News · 2025-11
The Trump take
“Getting rid of a whole layer of councils? That's DOGE, Kiwi-style. Elon would cry, he'd be so proud. Fewer meetings, more golf.”parody
Why it scored this way
Big government
Abolishes a whole tier of elected government
+2
Loves it
Red tape
Simplifies who regulates environmental consenting
+1
Likes it
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