56-704: Environment Canterbury , frequently abbreviated to ECan , is the promotional name for the Canterbury Regional Council . It is the regional council for Canterbury , the largest region in the South Island of New Zealand. It is part of New Zealand's structure of local government. The area of its jurisdiction consists of all the river catchments on the east coast of the South Island from the Clarence River, north of Kaikōura , to
112-473: A "pro-water" platform. She was aligned with the centre-left bloc of councillors who supported Sir Kerry Burke in the council's leadership elections in October 2007 and September 2009. On the council, Sage was assigned responsibility for pest management and oversaw measures to control weeds, possums, and wild goats. Water was a major issue during the 2007–2010 council term as the council looked to agree
168-695: A mandatory 10-year review of the Regional Policy Statement commenced. Canterbury has the following 'operative' regional plans. The Natural Resources Regional Plan (PNRRP) proceeded in two stages. Chapters 1 to 3 (Overview, Ngai Tahu and Air Quality) were publicly notified in June 2002. Chapters 4–8 were publicly notified in July 2004. Chapters 1 to 3 were decided on in September 2007 and some aspects of this large and detailed plan were appealed to
224-463: A new regional water strategy. At the same time, dairy farming was continuing to intensify in the region and the council had been ranked last among 84 councils in terms of resource consent processing in 2009. A review of the council was initiated by environment minister Nick Smith and local government minister Rodney Hide which recommended the council be replaced with commissioners and a new Canterbury Water Authority be established. Sage described
280-609: A post-graduate diploma in 1984. Sage's long-time partner is Richard Suggate, a former Department of Conservation manager. Before holding elected office, Sage had a career in communications and environmentalism. Her first professional role was working as a communications officer for the New Zealand Forest Service based on the West Coast . From 1984 to 1990 she worked at Parliament in Wellington as
336-597: A public profile advocating against the environmental impacts of logging, mining, and dairy farming. Sage contested and won the Selwyn–Banks Peninsula constituency of Environment Canterbury (the Canterbury Regional Council) at the 2007 local elections . Sage's defeat of the incumbent, former Selwyn mayor Bill Woods, was described as one of the election's biggest surprises. Sage was one of four new councillors elected who had campaigned on
392-646: A research officer for the New Zealand Labour Party and as a press secretary for Helen Clark . At the time that Sage worked in her office, Clark was the Minister of Conservation and the Department of Conservation had been newly established. Moving to Christchurch in 1990, Sage worked as a freelance journalist and later as a field officer and spokesperson for Forest & Bird from 1993 until 2007. Working for Forest & Bird, she gained
448-725: Is a New Zealand environmentalist and former politician. She was a Green Party Member of Parliament in the New Zealand House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023. Sage served as Minister of Conservation , Minister for Land Information and Associate Minister for the Environment from 2017 to 2020, in the first term of the Sixth Labour Government . Sage was born in Auckland , the first of four children to parents Meryl (née Williams) and Tony Sage, who
504-425: Is a mixture of elected councillors and government appointed commissioners. Councils may use a first-past-the-post or single transferable vote system. The chairperson is selected by the elected council members. Regional councils are funded through property rates , subsidies from central government, income from trading, and user charges for certain public services. Councils set their own levels of rates, though
560-461: Is a strong opponent of the sacking of the councillors, gave his opinion as the proposal presenting "just status quo, that gives the perception of democracy". Smith confirmed the mixed model in July 2015, with seven councillors to be elected in 2016 alongside six appointed commissioners, with a return to a fully elected council in 2019. For the 2016 local elections, the government allowed seven members to be elected with six appointed commissioners. For
616-530: Is at 200 Tuam Street Christchurch in an environmentally friendly building designed and built to house the regional council's 500 Christchurch based staff. The old building was demolished in 2011 after the Canterbury earthquakes. All staff moved into the new building on 18 April 2016. ECan also has smaller offices in Timaru , Ashburton , and Kaikōura. From its creation until May 2010, Canterbury Regional Council
SECTION 10
#1732794621839672-495: Is divided into sixteen regions for local government purposes. Eleven are administered by regional councils, and five are administered by unitary authorities , which are territorial authorities that also perform the functions of regional councils. The Chatham Islands Council is not a region but is similar to a unitary authority, authorised under its own legislation. The regional councils are listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 of
728-576: The 2004 local elections , nine constituencies were used: North Canterbury, Christchurch North, Christchurch East, Christchurch South, Christchurch West (all two members each), Banks Peninsula & Selwyn, Ashburton, South Canterbury, and Waitaki (all one member each). In the 2007 local elections , eight constituencies were used: North Canterbury, Christchurch North, Christchurch East, Christchurch South, Christchurch West, South Canterbury (all two members each), Selwyn Banks Peninsula, and Rakaia (both one member each). In Rakaia, incumbent councillor Angus McKay
784-626: The Green Party . Although she did not win the electorate, she was ranked at sixth on the party's list. The Green Party received sufficient votes to return 14 list members and Sage entered Parliament for the first time. In her maiden statement delivered on 15 February 2012, Sage said she would not have run for parliament if the Environment Canterbury regional council had not been replaced with commissioners. She also spoke of her ambitions to create new marine protected areas around
840-628: The Kermadec Islands and in the Ross Sea , and to enact stronger plant and water conservation laws. Sage was re-elected as a list MP three years later after unsuccessfully contesting the Port Hills electorate . In addition to her caucus responsibilities as her party's spokesperson on Christchurch, conservation, the environment, land information, local government, resource management issues, and water, she served as deputy chairperson of
896-512: The Local Government Act 1974 . The regional councils replaced the more than 700 ad hoc bodies that had been formed in the preceding century – roads boards, catchment boards, drainage boards, pest control boards, harbour boards, domain and reserve boards. In addition they took over some roles that had previously been performed by county councils. The boundaries of the regions are based largely on drainage basins . This anticipated
952-469: The Local Government Act 2002 , along with reference to the Gazette notices that established them in 1989. The Act requires regional councils to promote sustainable development – the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of their communities. The current regions and most of their councils came into being through a local government reform in 1989 that took place under
1008-617: The National Government sacked the Environment Canterbury councillors and replaced them with commissioners: The commissioners held their first public meeting on 6 May 2010. The National Government initially promised a return to elected councillors with the local elections in October 2013 . In September 2012, this was revised for commissioners to stay until the October 2016 local elections . Donald Couch resigned in April 2015 as he
1064-662: The Paparoa Track Great Walk in 2020. However, she failed to deliver a planned and funded drylands park in the Mackenzie Basin or a proposed prohibition on mining on conservation land. The latter was reportedly due to Government parties disagreeing on the policy. As Land Information Minister , Sage had a decision-making role related to overseas ownership of New Zealand land. She was criticised by former Green MP Sue Bradford for approving "nearly every" application despite Green Party policy opposed to
1120-566: The Resource Management Act 1991 : Regional councils have responsibility for functions under other statutes; Notes: (1) These regions have unitary authorities . (2) The Gisborne Region is still widely but unofficially known by its former name East Cape or as the East Coast. Some outlying islands are not included within regional boundaries. The Chatham Islands is not in a region, although its council has some of
1176-1282: The Waitaki River , in South Canterbury. The region includes the Canterbury Plains , north and south Canterbury , the major braided rivers of the South Island , (the Waimakariri River , the Rakaia River and the Rangitata River ) the Mackenzie Basin and the Waitaki River . The Canterbury Regional Council is responsible for a wide variety of functions including public passenger transport, regional biosecurity, river engineering, environmental monitoring and investigations, regional policy and planning and for considering applications for certain resource consents – land use consents (including beds of waterbodies), coastal permits, water permits, and discharge permits. Canterbury Regional Council has strategic responsibilities for air, water and transport. Christchurch often has temperature inversions which trap pollutants causing air quality issues. ECan set up
SECTION 20
#17327946218391232-615: The Ashburton and Waitaki constituencies were declared elected without opposition. The 14 council members were: Yeoman died in October 2002. Cherry resigned during the term and died in May 2003. Both were from the Christchurch West constituency and the by-election caused by Yeoman's death was held over so that both positions could be filled at the same time. The by-election was won by Alec Neill and Nicky Wagner in April 2003. In
1288-702: The Clean Heat Project in 2002 and it ran until 2011 to assist with cleaner burning home heating and extra home insulation. The Canterbury Regional Council's spiritual predecessor was the Canterbury United Council that was formed in 1979, which was the first regional government body in New Zealand since the end of the provinces in 1876. However this united council was replaced by the current regional council in 1989 after local government reforms . Environment Canterbury's main office
1344-435: The Environment , stated that "it may be appropriate to consider these options beyond 2019 ". Louise Upston , as Associate Minister for Local Government, justified the mixed model as it "could provide the necessary stability for Canterbury from 2016". Former district councillor and now member of parliament Sage criticised the government backdown as denying Cantabrians the right to make their own decisions. Artist Sam Mahon , who
1400-493: The Environment Court. Hearings into Chapters 4–8 started in late 2007 and continued throughout 2008. The Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan chapters on Ngai Tahu and natural resources, air quality, water quality, water quantity, beds of lakes and rivers, wetlands and soil conservation were operative from 11 June 2011, replacing the older Canterbury Regional Council Transitional Regional Plan (October 1991), which
1456-505: The Environment. In her two main positions, Sage was responsible for the two government agencies—the Department of Conservation and Land Information New Zealand —which managed more than one-third of New Zealand's land area. As Associate Minister for the Environment, Sage had responsibility for waste and oversaw the phase-out of single-use plastic bags in New Zealand. She acted as Minister for Women in 2018 when Julie Anne Genter took maternity leave. As Conservation Minister , Sage led
1512-476: The Government announced a review of ECan under Section 24A of the Resource Management Act . The reason cited was that a delay in processing resource consents "is holding the Canterbury region back". In March 2010, after the release of the "Creech Report" the government chose to appoint a panel of commissioners to replace the elected Councillors, as described above. Regions of New Zealand New Zealand
1568-508: The board following the 2022 local elections is: On 3 May 2024, Cr Peter Scott stepped down from his position Environment Canterbury's chair after admitting he was illegally irrigating part of his South Canterbury farm during a Newstalk ZB radio interview. Environment Canterbury commissioned an independent investigation into Scott's activities. Cr Craig Pauling became acting-chair following Scott's resignation. Scott resumed his role as chair in July, but stepped down again in September after it
1624-540: The development of Te Mana o te Taiao , the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, began a governance review of Fish & Game New Zealand , and initiated a controversial cull of imported Himalayan tahr on conservation land which resulted in her receiving death threats and was eventually scaled down. She established the $ 1.2 billion Jobs For Nature programme as part of the government's COVID-19 relief efforts and opened
1680-576: The government's decision as acting in the interests of agribusiness and irrigation lobbyists. She lost her councillor position on 1 May 2010 when the council was disestablished, but was appointed as a community member to the Selwyn-Waihora Zone Water Management Committee of Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) in October 2010. Sage contested the Selwyn electorate at the 2011 general election for
1736-415: The legislation were coordination of civil defence and development of a regional plan, although the constituent TLAs could agree on additional responsibilities at the point of formation of each united council. For example, in a number of cases the united council took responsibility for the allocation of revenue from regional petrol taxes. The united councils were based in the facilities of the largest TLA in
Environment Canterbury - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-425: The local elections, there were four constituencies: Christchurch (4 members), North Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, and South Canterbury (1 member each). Peter Scott was declared elected unopposed for South Canterbury. Two of the existing commissioners retired (Bazley and Williams), with Bedford, Caygill, Cunningham, Lambie and Skelton reappointed. Iaean Cranwell was a new commissioner, with him and Cunningham appointed on
1848-499: The local government and environment committee from 2011 to 2014 and as a member of that committee from 2014 to 2017. During the 2017 election , Sage contested Port Hills for a second time, coming third place. She was re-elected to Parliament on the Green Party list. Following the formation of the Sixth Labour Government , Sage assumed the ministerial portfolios for Conservation and Land Information, and Associate Minister for
1904-778: The mechanism for collecting it usually involves channelling through the territorial authority collection system. The Auckland Regional Council (now the Auckland Council ) was preceded by the Auckland Regional Authority (ARA), which existed from 1963 to 1989. The Wellington Regional Council was first formed in 1980 from a merger of the Wellington Regional Planning Authority and the Wellington Regional Water Board. In 1978, legislation
1960-511: The most resource consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 of any of the 16 regional councils in New Zealand. In the year ended 30 June 2006, Environment Canterbury processed 3,381 applications, more than double the number processed by any other consent authority (Environment Waikato had the next highest number; 1,384 applications in 2006). By January 2005, Canterbury Regional Council had issued over 14,000 resource consents. The conditions of individual consents can be viewed on line by using
2016-624: The opposition National and ACT parties, and the New Zealand Law Society . In early December 2022, Leader of the House and Labour MP Chris Hipkins announced that the anti-privatisation entrenchment clause would be removed. Due to the removal of the anti-privatisation clause, Sage and her fellow Green MPs withdrew their support for the Water Services Entities Bill, which passed with the sole support of
2072-480: The powers of a regional council under the Resource Management Act 1991 . The Kermadecs and the subantarctic islands are inhabited only by a small number of Department of Conservation staff and there is no regional council for these islands. Regional councils are popularly elected every three years in accordance with the Local Electoral Act 2001, except for the Canterbury regional council, which
2128-453: The practice of foreign land ownership; Sage said she did not have discretion under the law to decline many applications. Sage also attracted criticism for disagreeing with Labour ministers on some overseas investment decisions where joint decision-making was required; on one occasion after she had refused to agree to the expansion of a gold mine in Waihi a new application by the same company for
2184-452: The previous chairman, Sir Kerry Burke , lost a motion of no confidence adopted eight votes for to six against from the other councillors. Burke remained a regional councillor Burke had been re-elected chairperson in October 2007. The councillors' vote was initially tied between Burke and Alec Neill. Burke had been an elected councillor since 1998 and was chairman from 2004. In March 2010, following an investigation and report by Wyatt Creech ,
2240-458: The recommendation of Ngāi Tahu . Bedford became chairman but resigned in 2017 due to ill health. Steve Lowndes, who was initially deputy chairman, was elected as chairman in November 2017, with Peter Scott his deputy. The councillors and commissioners for the 2016 to 2019 period were as follows: The composition of the board following the 2019 local elections was: The current composition of
2296-699: The region and largely dependent on the TLAs for resources. They were allowed to levy rates but in most cases had minimal operating budgets (below $ 100,000 per annum). The notable exception was Canterbury, where the united council had a number of responsibilities. Only one united council undertook any direct operational activity – a forestry project in Wanganui. Source: Summary of the Functions and Activities of United Councils . Dept of Internal Affairs, 1984. Eugenie Sage Eugenie Meryl Sage (born 1958)
Environment Canterbury - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-515: The responsibilities of the Resource Management Act 1991 . Most regional boundaries conform with territorial authority boundaries but there are a number of exceptions. An example is Taupo District , split between four regions, although most of its area is in the Waikato region. There is often a high degree of co-operation between regional and territorial councils as they have complementary roles. Regional councils have these specific functions under
2408-649: The same land was referred to different ministers for a final decision. A review into the Overseas Investment Act was initiated in April 2019 but Labour's Associate Finance Minister David Parker was assigned responsibility for the review. During the 2020 New Zealand election that was held on 17 October, Sage was re-elected to Parliament on the party list. She also contested the Banks Peninsula electorate and came third place behind Labour's Tracey McLellan and National's Catherine Chu. She
2464-517: The six-digit "CRC" number. In October 2004, Canterbury Regional Council had a 'backlog' of unprocessed applications due largely to the notification of applications to take groundwater in highly allocated groundwater zones. The 'backlog' or number of applications for consents being processed, is recorded daily on the Environment Canterbury web site. An upward trend appears to have ended in the middle of 2008, with numbers unprocessed slowly declining into 2009. The sharp increase in applications in June 2007
2520-472: Was Conservation Minister, the Government had indicated it would not grant new permits for mining on conservation land. Public consultation on the issue was intended to be carried out from September 2018; however, in early 2020 Sage acknowledged that it had not been possible for Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First to agree on a discussion document. The policy was not progressed before the 2020 election and
2576-494: Was a chartered accountant . She attended St Cuthbert's College, Auckland . Between secondary school and university, Sage worked as a cleaner and kitchen hand at an Auckland retirement village and rest home. At the University of Auckland , Sage studied arts and law, wrote for Craccum and participated in environmental activism. After graduation, she went on to study journalism at the University of Canterbury , earning
2632-928: Was a collection of rules and bylaws predating the Resource Management Act 1991, and was the operative plan for most of the region, except the Waitaki catchment and the Kaikōura area. There are also four Water Conservation Orders (WCOs) that apply in Canterbury: the Rakaia River WCO, the Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) WCO, the Rangitata WCO and the Ahuriri River WCO. Canterbury Regional Council issues and supervises
2688-555: Was dropped when Labour was re-elected without requiring Green Party support. Sage's member's bill was considered in 2023 but was defeated at first reading. In late November 2022, Sage convinced the Labour Party to support a Green Party amendment that the Water Services Bill set a 60% parliamentary threshold for privatising public water assets. This entrenchment clause was controversial and attracted criticism from
2744-522: Was due to the review of 400 existing resource consents in the Rakaia-Selwyn groundwater allocation zone. Canterbury Regional Council received the lowest rating given by rural ratepayers in a Federated Farmers survey on local authorities. The grade took into account the council's level of approachability, degree of bias, provision of roads, value for money, and implementation of the RMA. In October 2009
2800-415: Was governed by 14 elected councillors who were elected on a first-past-the-post basis from eight regional constituencies. In the 2001 local elections , nine constituencies were used: North Canterbury, Christchurch North, Christchurch East, Christchurch South, Christchurch West (all two members each), Selwyn-Banks Peninsula, Ashburton, South Canterbury, and Waitaki (all one member each). The candidates from
2856-637: Was granted retention of the title " The Honourable " for life, in recognition of her term as a member of the Executive Council . A member's bill in Sage's name was drawn from the ballot and introduced into Parliament in August 2022. The Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill would prevent new permits being granted on conservation land and prevent all coal-mining permits from being granted on any land from 2025. Four years prior, when Sage
SECTION 50
#17327946218392912-429: Was not retained as a minister in the Government's second term and was instead appointed chairperson of Parliament's environment committee as part of the cooperation agreement between the Labour Party and the Green Party. She was also appointed the Green Party spokesperson for conservation, emergency management, the environment, forestry, land information, three waters , and oceans and fisheries. On 9 November 2020, Sage
2968-490: Was passed enabling the formation of regions with united councils . Twenty regions were designated, excluding the Auckland and Wellington areas. For most of the country this was the first regional level of government since the abolition of provinces in 1876. Councillors were not elected directly – they were appointed from the various territorial local authorities (TLAs) within the region. The only responsibilities mandated by
3024-521: Was returned without opposition. Four new regional councillors were elected on platforms promoting better management of water resources and opposition to the Central Plains Water scheme. The four were: David Sutherland and Rik Tindall, who stood as "Save Our Water" candidates, and independent candidates Jane Demeter and Eugenie Sage . The following members made up the regional council: On 24 September 2009, Alec Neill became chairman after
3080-417: Was revealed he had exceeded the speed limit 678 times in his council-provided car since January. Stefanie Rixecker was appointed Chief Executive in August 2020, taking over from Bill Bayfield who took up the position in June 2011. Dr. Bryan Jenkins was the chief executive from June 2003. The council operates four regional parks. The Canterbury Regional Policy Statement became operative in 1998. In 2006,
3136-651: Was to move to Canada and in August 2015, he was replaced by Elizabeth Cunningham. In March 2014, a statutory review in ECan was begun, and the National Government released a public discussion document in March 2015 outlining a proposal for the regional council's future, with a stated preference for a mixed model of seven elected members and six members appointed by the Government . Nick Smith , as Minister for
#838161