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# Face of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/face-of-the-day-1347/
- Published: 2025-11-26T17:30:16.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-26T17:30:15.000Z
- Description: Jones also described the Otago Regional Council as “the Kremlin of the South Island” after a dispute over mine expansion.
- Author: Good Oil Staff
- Tags: NZ Politics, Politics

> Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the current regional council structure stifles economic growth and that regional councils have suffered cost burdens, “green overreach” and too much influence from iwi.  
>  
> His comments come after the government announced its plan to [scrap regional councillors](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/579978/no-more-regional-councils-major-shake-up-of-local-government-announced?ref=goodoil.news) and hand responsibilities over to mayor-led Combined Territories Boards, marking the biggest structural shift in local government in decades.  
>  
> The boards will take over regional duties and have two years to propose a longer term structure.  
>  
> The government said the move will cut costs and streamline decision making.  
>  
> Regional Development Minister and NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones has been one of the strongest critics of regional government, previously saying there is “less and less of a justifiable purpose” for keeping regional councils under the new RMA system.  
>  
> He also described the Otago Regional Council as “the Kremlin of the South Island” after a dispute over mine expansion.  
>  
> RNZ

[Read More](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/580027/minister-shane-jones-says-green-banshees-in-regional-council-are-stifling-growth?ref=goodoil.news)