Merger plans: Waimakariri keen to avoid Christchurch City's debt

Author: RNZ,
Publish Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2026, 1:30pm

Waimakariri residents see their future in North Canterbury, rather than Christchurch, according to a survey.

By David Hill of RNZ

A Greater Christchurch council could leave Waimakariri ratepayers saddled with the city’s debt, according to New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union figures.

The Christchurch City Council’s level of debt per household is more than double the rate for Waimakariri ratepayers, according to a Taxpayers’ Union report.

Councils have until August 9 to present proposals on larger unitary councils to the Government.

The Waimakariri District Council’s preferred option is forming a North Canterbury council with the Hurunui and Kaikōura councils.

But a Greater Christchurch council between Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri has also had some publicity.

A survey of Waimakariri residents has so far found around 90% of respondents favoured a North Canterbury or Waimakariri standalone council.

Debt levels, local services, representation and protecting local identity have been identified as issues to be considered.

Waimakariri chief executive Jeff Millward said taking on Christchurch City’s debt “would make a huge difference to us”.

Debt was a hot topic in last year’s local elections, but Waimakariri was in a favourable position compared with other councils, he said.

A North Canterbury council would include the growing towns of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Ravenswood, Pegasus and Amberley, as well as the tourist towns of Hanmer Springs and Kaikōura.

“The three areas are closely aligned, and combined, North Canterbury would have close to 100,000 people, which is a good nucleus to work with,” Millward said.

"And you can see some great initiatives emerging, particularly in the tourism and the rural sectors."

Kaikōura has 4200 residents, Hurunui around 15,000 and Waimakariri 74,000.

Waimakariri also had a close relationship with Christchurch and Selwyn, and Millward said those relationships would continue.

“It doesn’t matter where the boundaries are, you are still going to need to have good relationships and connectivity.”

Millward said the issue of representation would come out of the next stage of any local government merger and would not form part of the Government’s initial Headstart proposal.

Community boards were an option to ensure a level of representation and recognise communities of interest, particularly in Kaikōura and Hurunui.

“We had the scenario in 1989 where Kaiapoi replaced its council with a community board to recognise its separate community identity,” he said.

But Millward said these would have minimal impact on Waimakariri, because of their smaller overall debt levels.

“Kaikōura doesn’t have a high debt, but it also doesn’t have capacity, so Waimakariri would bring it capacity.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

– RNZ