An updated Wairoa Water Services Delivery Plan, detailing what local three waters delivery will look like in the future, will be considered by a Department of Internal Affairs panel later this month.

Previously, the Wairoa District Council unanimously supported delivering future Wairoa water services through a local standalone Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). Elected members described a local model as a way of retaining control of decision-making, giving Wairoa more flexibility as the master of its own destiny, and having the ability to meet Wairoa’s unique needs.

Over the past few months, Council staff have been working with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to provide the necessary information to progress the plan for local water delivery. In line with a timeline provided by the DIA, Council submitted an updated Water Services Delivery Plan by its deadline of November 7. This plan will be presented to a panel that advises the Minister this month.

Wairoa District Council Chief Executive Matt Lawson said the Government’s reform of water services (Local Water Done Well) represents a fundamental shift in how future water services are delivered to communities.

“The DIA is working with the 67 territorial authorities, with around half having had their Water Service Delivery Plans approved, based on the timelines they were given.”

Mr Lawson said that while future affordability issues remain a genuine concern, there are clear indications of cost efficiencies for Wairoa by going it alone rather than being part of a regional model with Hawke's Bay councils, which was initially explored.

“We have developed a localised plan that utilises Wairoa’s nimbleness and will draw on specialised expertise where needed. DIA staff have visited Wairoa and inspected our wastewater and water supply infrastructure, informing us that it was in better condition than they had expected, considering its age.

“Because our infrastructure has been well maintained, this will help with future costings and again demonstrates that the standalone model has cost efficiencies for local water users.”

The Council is open to working with other water entities from other districts. It supports negotiating a heads of agreement outlining potential areas of cooperation and coordination with the Gisborne District Council, particularly as collaboration is already occurring and synergies exist between the Wairoa and Gisborne water systems.

Mr Lawson said that other key factors cited in selecting a local delivery option included the protection of localised arrangements, such as the water partnership with local processing plant Affco and improved social benefits through a local model.

“It is well worth our going down the local route. A local model is more cost-efficient, retains local control, systems will be run locally, and we will have more ability to mitigate against isolation issues.”

The expectation is that the new entity will be operational within two years, with the Council continuing to deliver three waters services in the meantime.

The proposal would involve the formation of a new entity, likely governed by three directors specialising in engineering, finance, and local knowledge, a manager, and local operational expertise, based in Wairoa. A core principle of the Local Water Done Well model is the operational and financial separation of the water entities from local councils. Water entities under the Local Water Done Well reform pay for themselves primarily through direct charges to consumers for water services and by borrowing money to fund long-term infrastructure investment. 

12 November 2025

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