The Mayoral Forum and Secretariat are supported by the Regional Council but remains a separate entity.
Canterbury Mayoral Forum supports Head Start proposal
Canterbury Mayoral Forum continues to support a region-wide Head Start proposal.
At its meeting on Monday 6 July 2026, the Forum agreed to continue supporting a Head Start for Canterbury. This follows last week’s Canterbury Simplifying Local Government Summit, which focused on building a shared understanding of the opportunities presented by the Government’s proposed local government reforms, and the implications for regional service delivery, planning and environmental management.
Councils continue local engagement
Councils are still engaging with their communities and working through the details that will help shape the future of local government in Canterbury.
Subject to decisions by individual councils over the next three to four weeks, a coordinated response will be developed to support all local proposals.
Meeting Government deadline
Canterbury Mayoral Forum Chair Nigel Bowen said work will now move quickly to meet the Government’s 9 August deadline.
“While there may be different proposals throughout Canterbury, each district knows how it could be affected and we know which regional services need to continue being delivered across Canterbury” Mayor Bowen said.
“Councils are working with their communities to refine their proposals, ensuring they reflect local priorities while meeting the needs of Canterbury communities in a coordinated way.”
The Mayoral Forum plans to meet again before the government submission deadline of 9 August.
