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.
Otago Regional Council manages Otago's land, air, water, and regional transport on behalf of the community, ensuring activities comply with legislation. Key roles and responsibilities are:
Significant legislation that affects our work includes:
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.
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:
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:
Elected members have specific obligations as to their conduct in the following legislation:
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.
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:
An Audit and Risk Committee will continue to provide governance, risk and audit reporting oversight.
Otago Regional Council participates in three regional committees:
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.