PremiumOpinionUpdatedOpinion byNick ClarkNZ Herald·12 Aug, 2026 09:00 PM5 mins to readNick Clark is a senior fellow at The New Zealand Initiative.Council mergers could weaken competition, accountability and choice for business. Photo / Getty ImagesSuppose a business is deciding where to expand around Christchurch. It can compare rates and building consent performance in Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri.
If one council becomes too slow or expensive, investment can cross the boundary without leaving the local economy. That nearby choice is one of the few
