The Government has re-branded its Three Waters reforms and scrapped a major part of them.
Instead of creating four mega entities, it will instead create 10, with boundaries established near New Zealand’s 16 regional councils.
Mayors across New Zealand were told this morning, before the announcement was made public.
Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty said the feedback has been overwhelmingly clear that our water infrastructure deficit needs to be addressed now if we’re to save households from ballooning bills that will make water unaffordable.
But also that the reform programme must be led at a regional level – we have listened closely and absolutely agree” he said.
“The cost of meeting the upgrades needed for our water systems is projected to be up to $185 billion over the next 30 years. Local councils cannot afford this on their own, and households in some areas could see rates rise up to $9,730 per year by 2054 if we do nothing.”
He said “under our proposal to establish 10 entities New Zealand households will still make big savings, projected at $2,770 – $5,400 a year by 2054 on average within each region.
“By extending the number of publicly owned water entities to 10, every district council in the country will have a say and representation over their local water services entities through regional representative groups, forming a partnership between council representatives and iwi/Māori that will provide strategic oversight and direction to the entities.”
The water services entities will start delivering water services from 1 July 2026.
National’s Local Government spokesperson Simon Watts said “Labour’s desperate attempt to rebrand their toxic Three Waters reforms won’t fool Kiwis and won’t fix New Zealand’s water infrastructure.”
“The message from Kiwis is very clear – they want local water assets in local hands, and with no divisive co-governance structures imposed on them.”
Watts said “today’s rebrand from the tired and incompetent Labour Government shows they just don’t get it. These are the same broken reforms, just with a new coat of paint.”
“Only National has a plan to fix water infrastructure. Labour is just doing what they’ve done for six years now – making it up as they go along and hoping for the best” Watts said.
“Adopting ten new entities rather than four makes a mockery of Labour’s repeated claims that four entities was the only way to go and would provide huge economic benefits.
“But the number of entities isn’t what New Zealanders care about – they care about ownership and control, and Labour’s rejigged proposal still locks local communities out of decision-making.
“Labour has also kept the divisive co-governance structure, which is undemocratic and will not lead to better water services,” Watts said.
“Labour’s Three Waters has been a disaster from start to finish. Labour walked all over local communities, failing to take their concerns on board, stripping them of their assets and forcing four mega co-governance entities upon them” he said.
