- 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.
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Summary of the Three Waters Reform Proposals
These are complex reforms. The Department of Internal Affairs have provided a quick overview of the Three Waters Reforms covering key questions. This includes why three waters are important, what the Government has proposed and why, the objectives of reform, and an indicative reform timeline.
- Three Waters Reform boiled down – a quick overview [PDF, 519KB]
Next steps
The Government is continuing to work with iwi/Māori and local government, and shared a draft Water Services Entities Bill with the Working Group on Representation, Governance and Accountability for consideration as part of its work.
The Working Group has reported back to the Minister with its recommendations on improved representation, governance and accountability arrangements.
Report from the Working Group on Representation, Governance and Accountability (PDF, 1.9MB)
Executive Summary of the Report from the Working Group on Representation, Governance and Accountability (PDF, 1.1MB)
Following consideration of the Working Group’s recommendations and Government decisions, the Bill is expected to be introduced to the House in mid-2022. People can make submissions on the Bill when it is referred to Select Committee shortly after.
Read more about the Working Group and the exposure draft of the Bill
Further information
- Three Waters Reform boiled down – a quick overview [PDF, 519KB]
- Guide to the better off package funding for local authorities [PDF, 510KB]
- Better off funding agreement for local authorities - April 2022 [PDF, 339KB]
- Pro forma better off funding proposal form for local authorities [PDF, 267KB]
- 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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