Kaunihera Council

Waikato Regional Council is a local government body. We’re governed by 14 councillors who are elected in local body elections every three years.

We work in partnership with iwi and many others in our communities to support a sustainable future for people today and generations to come: a future where our environment is healthy, communities are thriving and the economy is strong.

Our responsibilities are far reaching and diverse. We plan for and manage the use of natural resources (water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts), regional transport and passenger transport services, biodiversity and biosecurity. We also respond to environmental incidents, provide flood protection and drainage schemes, keep water users safe, respond to climate change and coordinate responses to emergencies.

This mahi (work) is guided by a range of legislation, including the Local Government Act and Resource Management Act. It’s the councillors’ responsibility to set the priorities and adopt policies that direct our work programmes and activities. They monitor performance against the council’s objectives and policies, and manage the council’s resources, including setting financial and infrastructure strategies.