Sandy Graham. PHOTO: ODT FILESDunedin city councillors are to be briefed about what it might mean to set up a unitary authority. The undertaking came from Dunedin City Council chief executive Sandy Graham yesterday during a meeting about reform of local and regional government. Unitary authorities combine the responsibilities of regional councils and city or district councils. ‘‘Let’s face it: the decision to create any form of unitary council will not be ours to make, even though it should be.’’Cr Lee Vandervis said the city should have decided upon creating a unitary council 10 years ago.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2026 17:11 UTC