A regional council is one type of local authority. In New Zealand, regional councils’ responsibilities include:
- Managing the effects of using freshwater, land, air and coastal waters.
- Developing regional policy statements and the issuing of consents.
- Managing rivers, mitigating soil erosion and flood control.
- Regional emergency management and civil defence preparedness.
- Regional land transport planning and contracting passenger services.
- Harbour navigation and safety, oil spills and other marine pollution.
Some district and city councils also have the powers of regional councils, these are referred to as unitary authorities.
See the councils involved in LAWA here.
