The government's message is consider amalgamation or be merged, but some Canterbury councils won't be rushing into a decision.
The government has given councils an ultimatum to prepare amalgamation plans within three months, or the government will do it.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced on Tuesday a three-month deadline for reorganisation plans to be delivered.
"Our message to councils is simple: lead your own reform, or we will do it for you. Either way, change is coming," Bishop said.
A Greater Christchurch Super city model has been touted, and supported by Christchurch City Council, but there have been reservations by Waimakariri and Selwyn.
"When this was first talked about, the timeframe was closer to two years, so the move to just three months is a significant change," Gliddon said.
"Reform is a good opportunity to reduce unnecessary complexity and do things better, but rushing the process won't lead to better or more efficient outcomes.
"It's important we take the time to consult with our communities on what they want, and to properly understand the implications. "
Gliddon said she won't be rushing any decision.
"Over the coming days and weeks, I'll be working closely with my Council colleagues and fellow Canterbury mayors to take a calm, considered approach that's right for Selwyn, and for Canterbury."
Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan said it will be important to "have some good discussion about what's best for our district in the long term".
"We'll be discussing this as a council, and connecting with our neighbouring councils to talk about options.
"We'll share more with the community once we've had time to assess the detail of [the] announcement and understand the implications for us."
Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen has come out in support of "the opportunity to become a larger unitary council and take greater control of our future".
"For too long, the urban voice of Christchurch has dominated regional policy, often failing to reflect the priorities and perspectives of South Canterbury urban and rural communities.
"This is our opportunity to reset that balance and shape a model that works for town, country and every place in between."
Amalgamation has some supporters.
Federated Farmers laid out its blueprint for local government reform in a white paper in March.
It proposes scrapping the current split between regional and district councils and replacing it with fewer, larger unitary councils that combine all functions.
Presently, there are 28 local authorities in the South Island and the Feds model would reduce that total to 12.
For Canterbury, it proposes a Greater Christchurch super city, adding the likes of Rangiora and Kaiapoi in Waimakariri, and Rolleston and Lincoln in Selwyn to Christchurch.
The rest of Selwyn would join the Ashburton, Timaru, Waimate, and Mackenzie districts in a new Southern Canterbury unitary council, while Kaikōura and Hurunui join the rest of the Waimakariri District in a northern Canterbury unitary.
For that to occur would likely require government intervention given the previous aversions to amalgamation.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
