Kawerau District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Whakatāne District Council and Ōpōtiki District Council are working together to investigate the next best steps forward for community water services in the sub-region. The councils have been meeting regularly since the pōwhiri and heads of agreement signing last year.

This week [subs 24 March 2026] the mayors, chief executives, councillors and technical experts met in Kawerau to outline the process and set the framework for the formal report. The report is being prepared for later in 2026 to outline the long term financial and non-financial savings and costs, levels of service, resilience and sustainability and capability that would be associated with any potential move to a shared water entity.

Kawerau hosted this month’s meeting, and Mayor Faylene Tunui said it was a valuable opportunity to continue the discussions on water services between the neighbouring councils.

“Each of us spoke to our respective communities last year and here in Kawerau we got a very clear direction from that feedback. We have taken that feedback on board and are currently changing our internal processes to ensure we can keep water services in house while meeting the requirements of national legislation and guidance.

“At the same time, it is important that we make sure our decisions are based on the best outcomes for our community and that means localised discussions about possible savings, risks, benefits and opportunities that could flow from potential joint council water services now and into the 50-year future.

“It is about balancing financial considerations with ensuring our communities are informed and engaged, our iwi partners are honoured and valued through the process, and we meet the national requirements,” Mayor Tunui said.

Mayor Tunui reiterated that councils are not at the point of making a decision and that any future decision would involve extensive consultation with each community. However, a report is being prepared for later in 2026 to outline the long term financial and non-financial savings and costs that would be associated with any potential move.

“We are now bringing together financial, and drinking and wastewater asset information for all four councils as part of the investigations into what a shared water services entity could look like and whether it would deliver savings for our respective communities.

“What was reiterated by the four councils is this this is an investigation, not a decision. We are committed to keeping everyone up-to-date and will continue to have more in-depth conversations with our communities and iwi partners over the coming months,” Mayor Tunui said.

You can find out more about Local Water Done Well on each council website. Rotorua Lakes Council, Whakatāne District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council, Kawerau District Council

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