Community response to the Wairoa District Council’s Local Water Done Well consultation revealed a mixed bag of preferences on the future model for delivering water services.

Council received 12 valid submissions, six in support of a Regional Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), four supporting a Wairoa District Council CCO, one supporting in-house delivery and one submitter supporting both the Regional and local CCO options.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said that, in addition to the lodged submissions, Council elected members and staff gathered a lot of verbal feedback from people who attended the community meetings and caravan sessions.

“During the consultation period, we have been gathering as much information as possible to help us with the decision-making. We need to remember that Local Water Done Well (LWDW) is Central Government Legislation which aims to address New Zealand’s long-standing three water (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) infrastructure challenges.

“Effectively, we have two options, go it alone, which could cost more but retain our localism, or work together across the region, which could provide efficiencies, but we may lose our local voice.

“There are still many unknowns, costs are based on modelling, not actuals, and each option has its pros and cons. It is important that our Council has as much relevant information as possible to enable the best decision to be made.”

Mayor Little said Wairoa elected members and staff had a productive meeting with former Minister Steven Joyce, who is assisting with negotiations around a regional model. “We appreciate that Mr Joyce came to Wairoa, listened to our thoughts and concerns and supported the process we have undergone so far. He recognised some of Wairoa’s unique needs, such as the Council’s bespoke water arrangement with Affco and the necessity to have a local base with local staff to protect our institutional and specialised knowledge and to ensure we have people on the ground in Wairoa to provide three waters services.

“LWDW changes the way all councils across the country have traditionally delivered three waters services and paves the way for services and assets to be retained by councils while offering new options for delivering water services and funding water infrastructure. This is a fundamental intergenerational decision that impacts us all. One fact we do know is that the new regulatory regime to improve the country’s water services infrastructure will increase costs.

“Costs are likely to continue to increase into the future and this will place an onus on water infrastructure organisations, their council owners, and the Government to do all that they can to ensure water costs remain unaffordable into the future.

“Thank you to those people who made a submission, attended meetings and caravan sessions, and provided their thoughts and feedback, which will help guide us through the decision-making process.”

Council is planning to make its decision at the July 22 Council meeting.

30 June 2025

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