Chatham Islands Council
The Chatham Islands Council is the local government authority for the Chatham Islands in New Zealand. The current council was established in 1995 succeeding Chatham Islands County Council which had governed the area since 1926.
History
The Chatham Islands was incorporated into the Colony of New Zealand by the British in 1842. The first local government set up on the islands was the Chatham Islands Māori Council in 1900.Chatham Islands County was established in 1901, though the Chatham Islands County Council was not established until 1926.
Succeeding the county council, the Chatham Islands Council was established on 1 November 1995 by the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995. The council's purpose is to administer the Chatham Islands and the adjoining sea, known as the "Chatham Islands Territory".
In December 2025, the Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand launched an investigation into the Council's "sensitive expenditure and procurement" policies.
Powers, functions and services
In New Zealand's local government system of territorial authorities and regional councils, Chatham Islands Council is unique. Under the Local Government Act 2002, it is a district council. No separate region exists for the Chatham Islands but unlike Auckland Council, the Chatham Islands Council is not formally designated as a unitary authority. Despite this it has select responsibilities that are usually assigned to a regional council.The Chatham Islands Council Act 1995 modifies legislation including the Resource Management Act 1991 and Building Act 2004 so that Chatham Islands Council can perform its regional council functions. The council is excluded from some regional council functions. For example, it has no responsibility for public transport under the Land Transport Management Act 2003.
Environment Canterbury carries out some regional council functions for the Chatham Islands under contract. In 2025, Chatham Islands Council was in negotiations with Auckland Council's council-controlled organisation Watercare for water services delivery.
Under the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995, the council can levy dues on goods entering or leaving its district. This revenue-gathering power is unique to the Chatham Islands Council.