Local Water Done Well

The coalition Government is introducing Local Water Done Well, a policy that will see water services remain under local government control. 

It recognises the importance of local decision-making, and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered in the future. 

The policy will also ensure a strong emphasis on meeting economic, environmental and water-quality regulatory requirements. 

All councils are required to complete a Water Services Delivery Plan, which must be submitted to Government by September 2025. 

These plans must provide a long-term assessment of our water infrastructure, how much we need to invest, and how we plan to finance and deliver it through our preferred water service delivery model.  

We must show we can deliver water services that meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and are financially sustainable.  

What does this mean for Whangārei?

We have used funding from ratepayers to invest heavily in water infrastructure in the past and, compared with many other councils, we are in good shape to meet our District’s current and future water-service needs. 

We are currently investigating options for water services delivery, including retaining an in-house business unit, or creating a single council-owned water organisation, or a multi-owned water organisation with our Northland neighbours. 

Once these options have been considered by the Mayor and Councillors, we will be asking for your feedback. We expect this will be in the first half of 2025. 

For more information about Local Water Done Well, visit the Department of Internal Affairs website:  

Water Services Policy and Legislation (dia.govt.nz)