The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation



 

Cabinet decisions and reform proposals

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Reform proposals

Cabinet papers and minutes and Regulatory Impact Analysis (updated 8 December 2022)

Reform proposals

The section below provides information to support councils, and communities, to understanding the reform proposals.

Media releases from the Minister of Local Government Hon Nanaia Mahuta

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta confirmed the Government will create four publicly owned water entities to ensure every New Zealander has access to affordable, long-lasting drinking, waste and storm water infrastructure without ballooning costs to households and families. Read more below.

 

Request for Information – Local Dashboard release

The local dashboard provides a series of indicator that users can interact with to see information relevant to their councils. The dashboards draw on information that was supplied by councils in February 2021 and as such may not reflect what is in councils’ final Long-Term Plans. 

Cabinet papers and minutes and Regulatory Impact Analysis

Cabinet paper and Minute – Water Services Legislation Bill – Approval for Introduction

In November 2022 Cabinet agreed to the introduction of a second piece of legislation to implement the Government’s water services reform policies. The Water Services Legislation Bill provides the new water services entities with the necessary legislative functions, responsibilities, and powers to be fully operational from their ‘go live’ date on 1 July 2024.

Cabinet paper and Minute – Pricing and charging for three waters services

In June 2022 Cabinet took decisions on policy matters approach to pricing and charging of water services by water services entities. These decisions will be given effect through the Water Services Legislation Bill.

Earlier cabinet papers and minutes

In 2021 Cabinet took decisions on the key design features of the reform proposals including, size, boundaries, ownership, and protections of iwi/Māori rights and interests. The Department’s Regulatory Impact Analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of alternate options for reform that were considered through the reform programme. 

In October 2021, Cabinet took decisions to progress with the reforms to ensure all New Zealand communities can benefit from the reforms.

Contact us

If you have any queries, please email: ThreeWaters@dia.govt.nz

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