Water Services Reform Programme
Updated: 31 August 2023
The delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater is changing.
All New Zealanders need safe, reliable drinking water, wastewater and stormwater – our water services. We depend on these for the health and wellbeing of our communities and our environment.
Why do we need reform?
The evidence shows as a nation we haven’t adequately maintained and improved our water service infrastructure. Without change, the safety, reliability and affordability of these services will continue to suffer, leading to more New Zealanders getting sick from contaminated drinking water, more sewage spills and increases in costs for households.
How will our water services be improved?
The Government has worked with local government, iwi and water industry leaders to create a detailed, affordable plan to make sure our water services system is in good condition to meet challenges like population growth, climate change and natural disasters.
Under this plan ten new publicly-owned Water Services Entities will run New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services – currently operated by councils on behalf of communities.
The Government’s plan will build these new Water Services Entities (WSEs) on the foundations of existing council infrastructure, people, and expertise. The plan is designed to give the new water organisations the financial flexibility to make the necessary upgrades more affordable for everyone.
Find out more about changes to your water services on the Water Services Reform website.
Water Services Legislation
The Government is implementing reform of water services through a suite of legislation.
The Water Services Entities Act
The Water Services Entities Act establishes the new water services entities so they are ready to provide services from their ‘go live’ dates.
The Water Services Entities Act also incorporates amendments set out in the Water Services Entities Amendment Act and the Water Services Legislation Act, forming a single piece of legislation detailing the new arrangements for the provision of water services in New Zealand.
You can read more about the Act here: The Water Services Entities Act
The Water Services Entities Amendment Act
The Water Services Entities Amendment Act gives effect to the Government’s refocus of water services reforms announced in April 2023.
The Act amends the Water Services Entities Act 2022 to establish 10 water services entities based on existing regional boundaries, and introduces a staggered timeframe for establishing the entities, with all entities going live between 1 July 2024 and 1 July 2026.
Read more about the Water Services Entities Amendment Act.
Water Services Legislation Act
This Act establishes the detailed powers, functions and duties of the new water services entities which are necessary for them to deliver water services to communities.
Read more about the Water Services Legislation Act.
The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Act
The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Act implements Cabinet’s agreement to establish an economic regulation and consumer protection regime as part of water services reform.
You can read more about the Act, economic regulation and consumer protection in three waters service delivery on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s website here: Economic regulation and consumer protection regime for water services
Find out more
Contact us
If you have any queries, please email: waterservicesreform@dia.govt.nz
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