Water Services Delivery Plans
Updated: 18 December 2025
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:
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.
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Council/grouping
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Decision date
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Link to plan
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DIA assessment
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Selwyn District Council
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3 July 2025
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Selwyn District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Selwyn District Council (PDF, 331KB)
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Waimakariri District Council
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21 July 2025
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Waimakariri District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Waimakariri District Council (PDF, 631KB)
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Hamilton City Council
Waikato District Council
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23 July 2025
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Hamilton City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Waikato District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report - Hamilton City and Waikato District (PDF, 550KB)
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South Taranaki District Council
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17 September 2025
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South Taranaki District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – South Taranaki District Council (PDF, 851KB)
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Hurunui District Council
Kaikōura District Council
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17 September 2025
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Hurunui District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Kaikōura District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Hurunui and Kaikōura (PDF, 767KB)
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Taupō District Council
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17 September 2025
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Taupō District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Taupō District Council (PDF, 929KB)
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Hauraki District Council
Matamata-Piako District Council
Ōtorohanga District Council
South Waikato District Council
Waipā District Council
Waitomo District Council
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17 September 2025
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Hauraki District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Matamata-Piako Water Services Delivery Plan
Ōtorohanga District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
South Waikato District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Waipā District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Waitomo District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Waikato Water (PDF, 1.4MB)
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Central Otago District Council
Clutha District Council
Gore District Council
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24 September 2025
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Central Otago District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Clutha District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Gore District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Southern Water Done Well (PDF, 818KB)
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Far North District Council
Kaipara District Council
Whangārei District Council
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24 September 2025
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Far North District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Kaipara District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Whangārei District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Northland grouping (PDF, 1.2MB)
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Greater Wellington Regional Council
Hutt City Council
Porirua City Council
Wellington City Council
Upper Hutt City Council
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24 September 2025
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Greater Wellington Regional Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Hutt City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Porirua City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Wellington City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Upper Hutt City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Wellington Metro (PDF, 1MB)
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Invercargill City Council
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9 October 2025
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Invercargill City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Invercargill City Council (PDF, 804KB)
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Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
Hastings District Council
Napier City Council
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15 October 2025
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Central Hawke’s Bay District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Hastings District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Napier District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Hawke’s Bay grouping (PDF, 965KB)
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Ashburton District Council
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20 October 2025
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Ashburton District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WDSP Assessment Report – Ashburton District Council (PDF, 980KB)
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Gisborne District Council
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22 October 2025
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Gisborne District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WDSP Assessment Report – Gisborne District Council (PDF, 920KB)
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Kāpiti Coast District Council
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24 October 2025
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Kāpiti Coast District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WDSP Assessment Report – Kāpiti Coast District Council (PDF, 980KB)
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Timaru District Council
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28 October 2025
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Timaru District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Timaru District Council (PDF, 761KB)
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Rotorua Lakes Council
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28 October 2025
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Rotorua Lakes Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Rotorua Lakes Council (PDF, 957KB)
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Christchurch City Council
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28 October 2025
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Christchurch City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Christchurch City Council (PDF, 903KB)
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Kawerau District Council
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29 October 2025
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Kawerau District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Kawerau District Council (PDF, 973KB)
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Stratford District Council
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29 October 2025
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Stratford District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Stratford District Council (PDF, 973KB)
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Whakatāne District Council
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30 October 2025
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Whakatāne District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Whakatāne District Council (PDF, 915KB)
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Ōpōtiki District Council
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30 October 2025
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Ōpōtiki District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Ōpōtiki District Council (PDF, 939KB)
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New Plymouth District Council
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31 October 2025
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New Plymouth District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – New Plymouth District Council (PDF, 915KB)
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Carterton District Council
Masterton District Council
South Wairarapa District Council
Tararua District Council
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31 October 2025
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Carterton District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Masterton District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
South Wairarapa District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Tararua District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Wairarapa + Tararua (PDF, 1MB)
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Queenstown Lakes District Council
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3 November 2025
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Queenstown Lakes District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Queenstown Lakes District Council (PDF, 533KB)
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Auckland Council
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3 November 2025
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Auckland Council Stormwater Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Auckland Council (PDF, 484KB)
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Horowhenua District Council
Palmerston North District Council
Rangitikei District Council
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10 November 2025
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Horowhenua District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Palmerston North District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Rangitikei District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Central Districts Grouping (PDF, 1MB)
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Dunedin City Council
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10 November 2025
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Dunedin City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Dunedin City Council (PDF, 763KB)
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Thames-Coromandel District Council
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10 November 2025
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Thames-Coromandel District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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TBC
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Waitaki District Council
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Amended Water Services Delivery Plan due 30 June 2026
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WSDP Assessment Report – Waitaki District Council (PDF, 351KB)
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Manawatū District Council
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12 November 2025
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Manawatū District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Manawatū District Council (PDF, 1MB)
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Marlborough District Council
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12 November 2025
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Marlborough District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Marlborough District Council (PDF, 776KB)
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Southland District Council
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12 November 2025
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Southland District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Southland District Council (PDF, 536KB)
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Tauranga City Council
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
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14 November 2025
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Tauranga City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District Council (PDF, 1MB)
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Waimate District Council
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14 November 2025
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Waimate District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Waimate District Council (PDF, 749KB)
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Whanganui District Council
Ruapehu District Council
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18 November 2025
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Whanganui District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Ruapehu District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Whanganui and Ruapehu District Council (PDF, 1MB)
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Buller District Council
Grey District Council
Westland District Council
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18 November 2025
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Buller District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Grey District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
Westland District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – West Coast grouping (PDF, 876KB)
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Nelson City Council
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1 December 2025
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Nelson City Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Nelson City Council (PDF, 797KB)
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Mackenzie District Council
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Amended Water Services Delivery Plan due 30 March 2026
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TBC
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Chatham Islands Council
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Amended Water Services Delivery Plan due 30 June 2026
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TBC
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Tasman District Council
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10 December 2025
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Tasman District Council Water Services Delivery Plan
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WSDP Assessment Report – Tasman District Council (PDF, 351KB)
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Councils are required to provide quarterly monitoring reports from 30 April 2026 to 31 January 2027.
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)
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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.
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Answers to common questions about the Plan development process are here:
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 320KB, 12 pages) (updated April 2025)
These FAQs are updated on regular basis.
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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
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Support option
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About the role
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Crown Facilitator
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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).
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Crown water services specialist
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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.
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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.
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