The Government is proposing one of the biggest reform packages around local Government in decades.

Ministers are launching consultation on major proposals - including replacing regional councils with boards made up of mayors from the region's city and district councils. 

It would aim to streamline decision-making, planning and infrastructure across regions - and boards would prepare a regional reorganisation plan within two years of being set up.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says it's time to re-examine local Government and make changes.

"It would be the biggest shake-up since 1989, but we think, given we're going to make these changes to the way in which we do things locally anyway, now's the time to basically do it all."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.