Episode 99 – Southland’s local government reset

In this episode, Jeremy McPhail, Chair of Environment Southland and seventh-generation Southland farmer, discusses the region’s community-led review of local government and what it could mean for the future of regional governance.

Guest:

• Jeremy McPhail, Chair, Environment Southland

Host:

• Andy Thompson, CountryWide

Jeremy shares why Southland moved early to explore structural change, the pressures driving reform including rising costs and infrastructure demands, and how the Local Government Commission is working with communities to identify the most effective and efficient model for delivering services. He also explains the importance of regional environmental oversight, the role of science and data in decision-making and why strong community engagement will be critical in shaping the future of local government in Southland.