- Three Waters Reform Programme
- About the Reform Programme
- Iwi/Māori interests
- Working groups
- National Transition Unit
- Reform Programme Engagement
- Information for councils
- Key information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Request for Information
- Taumata Arowai
- Three Waters Review
- Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water
- Archived information
Three Waters Reform Programme
All New Zealanders need safe, reliable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater - the three waters services. We depend on these for the health and wellbeing of our communities and our environment.
Local government is facing significant challenges in managing drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services.
To address this, the Government is progressing reforms so that three waters services will be provided by four publicly-owned water service entities from July 2024.
These reforms will ensure public health and wellbeing, environmental outcomes, economic growth and job creation, housing and urban development, adaptation to the impacts of climate change, building resilience to natural hazards, and upholding iwi/Māori rights and interests relating to water services.
More about the Three Waters Reform Programme
Listen to Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta talk about why the Government is proceeding with reform.
Note: Based on user browser settings, YouTube may mark videos as restricted. If the video is unable to be viewed, please copy and paste the video link (https://www.youtube.com/embed/fyFdFVPM59E) into a different browser. Alternatively, it is also recommended to view the video in an 'Incognito window' or private browser.
Next steps
The Government is continuing to work with iwi/Māori and local government, and has agreed to develop a draft Water Services Entities Bill to give effect to the Working Group on Representation, Governance and Accountability for consideration as part of its work.
The Bill is expected to go to Select Committee next year, and people can make submissions on the Bill at that time.
The Working Group will report back to the Minister by 28 February, which will enable Ministers to consider recommendations arising from the Working Group process, before the Bill is introduced.
Read more about the Working Group and the exposure draft of the Bill
Further information
- What was proposed and why: Transforming the system for delivering Three Waters services - the case for change and summary of proposals - 30 June 2021 [PDF, 1.5MB]
- See what this means for your community: Local Dashboard [Microsoft PowerBI]
- One-page summary: Three Waters Reform Programme Overview – A3 - 30 June 2021 [PDF, 781KB]
- Feedback submissions from Councils: Summary of local government feedback on the three waters reform proposals [PDF, 2MB]
- Water Service Entities – Fact Sheet – Three Waters Reform Programme [PDF, 330KB]
- Rural water supplies – Fact Sheet – Three Waters Reform Programme [PDF, 153KB]
- Case for change – Fact Sheet – Three Waters Reform Programme [PDF, 247KB]
- Financial Support Package – Fact Sheet – Three Waters Reform Programme [PDF, 221KB]
- Policy – Fact Sheet – Three Waters Reform Programme [PDF, 267KB]
- Alternatives to Reform – Fact Sheet – Three Waters Reform Programme [PDF, 323KB]
- Government to protect vital public water services for future generations [Beehive website]
- Working group to ensure local voice in Three Waters reform [Beehive website]
Contact us
If you have any queries, please email: ThreeWaters@dia.govt.nz or 3waterssteeringgroup@dia.govt.nz.
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