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Local Governance Statement
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The Otago Regional Council’s Local Governance Statement is a collection of information about the way the Council conducts its affairs, supports the purpose of local government and promotes local democracy. Council is required to produce this statement under Part 4, Sec 40 of the Local Government Act 2002.
Through following the Governance Statement links below, information can be accessed on this website with details about what we do, what legislation we work under and the responsibilities we have under that legislation, how we consult and what our management processes are.
Significant legislation that affects our work includes:
- Local Government Act 2002
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Biosecurity Act 1993
- Marine Pollution Act 1974
- Transit New Zealand Act 1989
- Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
- Privacy Act 2020
- Soil Conservation & Rivers Control Act 1941
- Local Government (Rating) Act 2002
- Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act 1987
- Maritime Transport Act 1994
- Public Transport Management Act 2008
- Land Transport Management Amendment Act 2008
- Local Electoral Act 2001
- Water Conservation Kawarau (Order) 1997
- Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998
- Building Act 2004
- Land Drainage Act 1908
- Public Works Act 1981
Where an issue is not already covered under existing legislation, Council may create a bylaw which is an enforceable rule or regulation to manage these activities.
Link to new page with all bylaws?
(I don't think this is a good idea)
September 2020
978-0-908324-64-4
PDF | 35 MB
This Bylaw was developed under the Maritime Transport Act (1994). The Act gives Otago Regional Council (ORC) the authority to regulate ports, harbours, waters and maritime-related activities in the Otago Region.
September 2022
ISBN 978-0-908324-84-2
PDF | 2 MB
The Flood Protection Management Bylaw ensures the effective operation and integrity of flood protection works managed by the Otago Regional Council. It regulates activities affecting assets like drains, overland flow paths, floodbanks, floodways, groynes, cross-banks, training lines, and flood protection vegetation. This bylaw supersedes the 2012 version.
Otago Regional councillors are elected triennially. Any candidate must be a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the electoral role. Candidates cannot self-nominate. They must be nominated by two electors who reside in the constituency the candidate is standing for, although candidates themselves do not have to reside in that constituency.
The Chairman of the Council, Deputy Chair and committee chairs are selected by members at the inaugural council meeting following the triennial local government election.
Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, Council may choose the First Past the Post electoral system or the Single Transferable Vote electoral system. Councils can resolve to change the electoral system to be used at the next two elections, or conduct a binding poll on the question, or electors can demand a binding poll. This must be done no later than 12 September in the year that is two years before the next triennial general election is held.
Otago Regional Councill has chosen to use the Single Transferable Vote system of electing our members.
Our Local Body Elections pages have more information on who can stand, how to vote, and understanding the voting system.
To ensure fair and effective representation, a review is undertaken at least every six years or for every second local body election. The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires the Council to review the number of councillors, the number of councillors per constituency, the boundaries and names of constituencies. Otago Regional Council undertook its representation review in 2024.
Responsibility of the Chairperson and Elected Members
The Chairperson and councillors of the Otago Regional Council are collectively responsible for the following:
- development and adoption of Council policy.
- monitoring the ongoing performance of Council against its stated objectives and policies.
- ensuring the prudent use and stewardship of Council resources.
- representing the interest of the region.
- employing the Chief Executive Officer.
At the first meeting of the Council following a triennial general election a Chairperson is elected by the members of Council. The role of the Chairperson is to:
- be the presiding member at Council meetings (ensuring the orderly conduct of business during meetings as determined by Council’s Standing Orders).
- advocate on behalf of the community.
- be the ceremonial head of Council.
- act as a Justice of the Peace, while holding office.
Elected members have specific obligations as to their conduct in the following legislation:
- Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, which includes obligations to act as a good employer in respect of the Chief Executive and to abide by the current Code of Conduct and Standing Orders.
- the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968, which regulates the conduct of elected members in situations where there is, or could be, a conflict of interest between their duties as an elected member and their financial interests, either direct or indirect.
- the Secret Commissions Act 1910, which prohibits elected members from accepting gifts or rewards which could be seen to sway them to perform their duties in a particular way.
- the Crimes Act 1961, regarding the acceptance of gifts for acting in a certain way and the use of official information for private profit.
All elected members are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct, which sets out understanding and expectations about the way elected members may conduct themselves while acting in their capacity as elected members, including behaviour towards one another, staff and the public.
plus Register of Pecuniary Interests – link document
May 2022
PDF | 370 KB
September 2024
1497280
PDF | 667 KB
These Standing Orders apply to all Meetings of the Council, its Committees and Subcommittees.
July 2025
PDF | 172 KB
Councillors can get reimbursed for expenses related to official Council business, such as meetings, workshops, or approved events. Claims must follow Council policies and be backed up with receipts.
Otago Regional Council’s governance structure provides for decision making to sit solely with Council, complemented by portfolio areas and the appointment of portfolio leads. Portfolios are designed to enable Councillors to:
- Champion key strategic issues.
- Enhance and deepen governance engagement across council.
- Build connections with communities and bring these perspectives to the decision-making table.
- Ensure alignment between Council’s strategic priorities and Council’s activities.
- Portfolios and portfolio leads do not have decision making delegations.
An Audit and Risk Committee will continue to provide governance, risk and audit reporting oversight.
Otago Regional Council participates in three regional committees:
- Regional Transport Committee.
- Civil Defence and Emergency Management Joint Committee.
- Regional Deal Negotiation Joint Committee.
The full Council generally meets monthly, and Committees generally meet quarterly. All meeting dates and times are advertised in the Otago Daily Times and on our website. Most meetings are held in the Otago Regional Council chamber and are generally open to the public (including livestreamed or recorded on YouTube).
Agendas and minutes for these meetings are available online at the link below.
We routinely consult with ratepayers and stakeholders on key decisions and plans. Details of current consultations can be found on our website
Open for Feedback - link page https://www.orc.govt.nz/get-involved/open-for-feedback
Significance and Engagement Policy – link page https://www.orc.govt.nz/your-council/iwi-partnerships/significance-and-engagement-policy
The Otago Regional Council partners with Kāi Tahu to build strong, lasting relationships, allowing mana whenua to contribute to decision-making and capacity development.
The Local Government Act 2002 requires the Council to employ a Chief Executive, whose responsibilities are to employ other staff on behalf of the council, to implement Council decisions and provide advice to the Council. The Chief Executive is the only employee of the Council. All the staff are employed by the Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive is the only person who can lawfully give instructions to a staff member. Any issues about individual staff members should therefore be directed to the Chief Executive, rather than councillors.
The Chief Executive is supported by a team of six General Managers, who make up the Executive Leadership Team.
We place a high value on maintaining a skilled, motivated and diverse workforce working in a safe environment. The Council and management are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities.
Otago Regional Council has a number of planning documents that provide details on our functions, goals and how we plan to achieve them.
The Otago Regional Council is committed to open processes where you can see how we make decisions and access information easily.
We have set up seperate webpages to give more detailed information on the different legislation that we follow, and the responsiblities we have, but if you have other questions please get in touch.
Ō mātau kaikaunihera Our councillors
Meet the Otago Regional Councillors representing the region's four constituencies — Dunedin, Moeraki, Dunstan, and Molyneux.
Council and committee agendas, minutes and videos
Council meetings, reports, and agendas are typically open to the public and available online.
Consultation policies
On this page are any plans and projects currently open for public feedback. This page also includes consultation on plans and policy statements that are required by the Resource Management Act 2019 (RMA). Find out what consultations are open now, how to have your say, and what happens after that.
Policies for liaising with, and memoranda or agreements with, Māori
The Otago Regional Council "Long-Term Plan" (LTP) is prepared in consultation with our community. The LTP sets out what we plan to deliver across a three-year planning cycle. The LTP also looks out, in less detail, 10 years.
Significance, Engagement and Māori Participation Policy
Guidelines for determining the level of significance of a proposed activity. If a Council decision is determined to be significant, then the Council will consult more formally with the community (i.e. submission process and Hearings).
Key Approved Planning and Policy Documents
Discover all our regional and corporate plans, policies, and strategies here. Explore policy documents protecting our environment, scientific reports aiding communities, and strategic plans guiding Otago's future. Access historical data but ensure you're using the latest version.
Systems for public access to elected members
Need to talk to us? There are a range of ways you can get in touch. Contact us by email, phone, social media, fax, or post. You're also welcome to call into any of our offices. Freephone Monday - Friday: 0800 474 082
Processes for Requests for Official Information
The Otago Regional Council is committed to conducting its day-to-day business openly and making decision-making processes and information available and accessible.
