Water Services Delivery Plans
Updated: February 2026
Water Services Delivery Plans (Plans) are a way for councils to demonstrate their commitment to deliver water services that meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and that are financially sustainable.
Through the development of Plans, councils will provide an assessment of their water infrastructure, how much they need to invest, and how they plan to finance and deliver it through their preferred water service delivery model.
Plans are a transitional requirement under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.
The Act sets out the content, timeframe and process for developing and accepting Plans.
Councils are required to develop and submit Plans, either individually or with other councils, by 3 September 2025 (unless an extension is granted).
The Secretary for Local Government holds responsibility for accepting or not accepting Plans.
On this page:
- Water Services Delivery Plans (updated 7 October 2025)
- Water Services Delivery Plan implementation – quarterly monitoring (updated February 2026)
- What support is available?
- Further support
Water Services Delivery Plans
The following Water Services Delivery plans have had decisions from the Secretary for Local Government. The table below includes a link to the plan as published on the council website (where accepted), and a link to the DIA assessment that supported the decision.
Note: The Department’s assessment reports of Water Services Delivery Plans have been factchecked by the relevant councils. The format of assessment reports will vary depending how a plan is structured.
Water Services Delivery Plan implementation – quarterly monitoring
Councils are required to provide quarterly monitoring reports from 30 April 2026 to 30 June 2028.
The Department has developed guidance about how to complete quarterly reports using a template.
Read guidance for preparing quarterly reports (PDF, 169KB)
Download the quarterly reporting template for Water Services Organisations (DOCX, 71KB)
Download the quarterly reporting template for In-house Business Units (DOCX, 70KB)
What support is available?
The Department is available to support councils in the implementation of their Plans. This includes:
- Holding virtual information sessions with councils to provide information and guidance
- Providing technical support, such as with Council led financial analysis.
Councils are encouraged to contact the Plan team at wsdp@dia.govt.nz if they need support or have questions.
Further support
If a council or a group of councils need support with developing their Plan, they can ask the Minister of Local Government to appoint a Crown facilitator or Crown water services specialist (at the council’s expense) by making a request in writing.
The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 enables the Minister of Local Government to appoint a Crown facilitator(s) or Crown water services specialist, if it would be beneficial to assist a council(s) to prepare a Plan that meets legislative requirements.
Each appointment and term will depend on the individual circumstances of the council(s).
About these roles
|
Support option |
About the role |
|---|---|
|
Crown Facilitator |
The role of a Crown facilitator is to assist a council or group of councils to prepare or give effect to a Water Services Delivery Plan. A Crown facilitator can provide tailored guidance, facilitate collaboration among councils, or assist with joint planning efforts. These facilitators are not necessarily there to impose decisions but to help councils develop robust, achievable and financially sustainable Plans that meet their unique needs. For example, a Crown facilitator could guide a council through the preparation of a Plan or work with multiple councils to facilitate or negotiate a joint Plan. If requested and agreed upon by the councils, the facilitator can also determine the terms of a joint arrangement to help resolve challenges and ensure progress. A Crown facilitator can be an individual or a panel of people, enabling access to a range of specialist expertise and experience. Find out more about Crown Facilitators and the Crown Facilitator appointment process (PDF, 187KB). |
|
Crown water services specialist |
The role of a Crown water services specialist can include to prepare a Plan on behalf of a council or group of councils, and (if necessary) to direct the council(s) to adopt, submit and implement this Plan. |
A written request for a Crown facilitator or Crown water services specialist can be sent directly to the Minister, or the Department via email to wsdp@dia.govt.nz.
