Local Water Done Well

In December 2023 the Government announced a new direction for water services (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services) policy and legislation which it has called Local Water Done Well.

The three Wairarapa district councils (Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa) and Tararua District Council (TDC) are exploring options for future water services delivery. This is required by the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill introduced into Parliament on 30 May 2024.

The Bill requires councils to prepare water services delivery plans that:

1. identify the current state of each council’s water services
2. demonstrate publicly each council’s commitment to deliver water services in a way that ensures compliance, meets drinking water standards, is financially sustainable, and supports housing growth and urban development.

The water services delivery plan must include a description of the proposed model or arrangements to deliver water services, including whether this will be through a new joint arrangement, or by continuing a current arrangement, e.g. South Wairarapa’s arrangement with Wellington Water Ltd, or in its district alone (currently the case for Masterton District Council).

The Department of Internal Affairs has provided councils with information about the Local Water Done Well policy decisions. Read the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) information for councils.

Minister of Local Government Hon Simeon Brown has also provided information on Local Water Done Well stage 2: Establishing the framework and transitional arrangement for the new water services system. Read the letter from Hon Simeon Brown.