At its core, the proposal would replace regional councillors with a board of local mayors, known as a Combined Territories Board (CTB). Mrs Tavendale said that while there was a need to find the most ‘‘cost-effective processes’’ they wanted the best version of local government for the district. The council’s draft proposal submits that any meaningful reform of local government must begin with a clear definition of outcomes. The third question asked whether the council agreed with replacing regional councillors with a CTB. ‘‘Trying to have a group of mayors govern their own councils, manage the regional organisation plan, and then also govern regional councils as a group is a distraction and it’s too much.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 21, 2026 15:17 UTC