“Te Pāti Māori Warns: Regional Council Reforms Could Be One of the Biggest Power Grabs in Aotearoa Modern History”
Te Pāti Māori says if the Government follows through with its signalled regional council reforms, Aotearoa could face one of the most sweeping power grabs seen in decades, a move that would silence communities, sideline Māori, and clear the path for unchecked environmental destruction.
Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the proposed reforms, when combined with the Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill, point to a coordinated agenda that puts Ministers above local authority.
“Let’s be clear if the Government pushes ahead, Ministers will gain enormous control over our regions, while councils, iwi, hapū and communities are pushed out of the way. This is centralisation on steroids,” said Ngarewa-Packer.
She says the country should be alarmed by the scale of what is being signalled.
“This is not just tinkering with local government, this could rewrite who has power over our water, our whenua, our climate resilience, and our future. If these reforms go ahead, councils may lose their authority at the exact moment Ministers acquire unprecedented fast-track powers.”
Ngarewa-Packer says the combination of the two reforms creates a dangerous pathway:
• Fast-Track Amendment Bill gives Ministers the final say over projects affecting urupā, wāhi tapu, wetlands, conservation land and coastlines.
• Regional council reforms, if enacted, could weaken environmental oversight, erase local input, and remove Māori from crucial decision-making roles.
• Together, they create a system where “one or two Ministers can override an entire region.”
“That should scare every New Zealander because what it means is simple: your local voice could be replaced by a Minister’s pen.”
She says the reforms come at the worst possible time.
“Our regions are on the frontline of climate change, extreme weather, water shortages, biodiversity loss and infrastructure failures. Weakening regional councils now would be reckless.”
Ngarewa-Packer says Māori should not be caught off-guard.
“We’ve seen this pattern before remove protections, silence Māori, and fast-track environmental exploitation. If these reforms proceed, Te Tiriti, Māori representation will be gutted, iwi partnerships ignored, and councils stripped of the power to protect our whenua.”
Te Pāti Māori is calling for an immediate halt until full regional, iwi and public consultation occurs.
“If the Government follows through with what it has signalled, it will be remembered for dismantling local democracy and paving the way for corporates to carve up Aotearoa. We will not let that happen without a fight.”
