- 2 September 2021

Kawerau District Council Three Waters Reform Update

The government’s Three Waters Reform proposes that the water assets currently managed by Kawerau District Council and the other 66 councils throughout New Zealand will be owned and operated by four large entities. 
Launched in July 2020 the government proposes changing the Three Waters service delivery arrangements by 1 July 2024.
Under the reform, Kawerau District Council would be part of Entity B, with 22 other Councils from the wider Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupo and Taranaki regions. Entity B would be governed by six representatives from the 22 Councils and six Iwi leaders. 
At the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in June this year, the government gave Councils eight weeks to take a closer look at the reform proposals and assess the impact on them and their community. 
The government also announced a funding package to ensure that Councils were not worse off under the reform proposal. For Kawerau, this would mean $17.2m in exchange for the drinking water, stormwater and wastewater assets, paid in 2024.
Following the LGNZ conference, Kawerau District Council unanimously agreed to seek an independent review of the reform. 
Castalia international consultants has now completed this independent review, which analyses the financial implications and impacts of the reform on the Kawerau District. 
Council has already committed to sharing this information, to ensure that Kawerau residents can make informed decisions about whether the district is better off or worse off under the new entity. 
“We will now share this information and give residents the opportunity to provide feedback,” Kawerau District Council Chief Executive Russell George said adding, “The principles we are working with ensure that we will share this information with our community first.” 
“We still aim to conduct a formal consultation process with the community, but by getting the community’s feedback now, means we ensure Kawerau residents get an opportunity to share their concerns which we can add to our report back to the government.” 
After the eight-week period, at the end of September all Councils are required to submit a formal report to the government’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). 
After receiving these reports, the government has advised it will consider the next steps, including the process and revised timing for decision-making.
Kawerau District Council will release more information onto the Council’s website, newsletter and social media channels soon and via local media to advise the timelines and how people can provide feedback.

 [ENDS]

For more information, please contact Kawerau District Council’s Communications and Engagement Manager Tania Humberstone on 027 464 7385.