Three Waters Review

This page is a historic record.

It contains links to old and/or superseded documents for reference purposes only.

For current information go to: Water Services Policy and Legislation (Updated February 2024)

Background
Progress Update – July 2020
Waters Services Programme (updated December 2023)
Taumata Arowai
Key documents (updated July 2020)
Reports (updated July 2020)
Presentations
Contact us

Background

The Government is reviewing how to improve the regulation and supply arrangements of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater (three waters) to better support New Zealand’s prosperity, health, safety and environment. Most three waters assets and services, but not all, are owned and delivered by local councils.

The Three Waters Review is a cross-government initiative led by the Minister of Local Government. Other involved agencies and portfolios include: Health, Environment, Finance, Business Innovation and Employment, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Primary Industries, Climate Change, Infrastructure, Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Housing and Urban Development, Transport, Conservation, and Rural Communities.

The Review, beginning in mid-2017, ran in parallel to the latter stages of the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water, which was set up following the campylobacter outbreak in 2016. Up to 5500 people were ill as a result and four people are thought to have died from associated causes.

The initial findings of the Review were consistent with many of the Havelock North Inquiry’s findings, and raised broader questions about the effectiveness of the regulatory regime for the three waters, and the capability and sustainability of water service providers.

Effective three waters services are essential for our communities

Our health and safety: depends on safe drinking water, safe disposal of wastewater and effective stormwater drainage.
Our prosperity: depends on adequate supply of cost effective three waters services for housing, businesses and community services.
Our environment: depends on well managed extraction of drinking water, and careful disposal of wastewater and stormwater.

Progress update – July 2020

Announcement of three waters infrastructure stimulus package

On 8 July 2020, the Government announced a funding package of $761 million to provide immediate post-COVID-19 stimulus to local authorities to maintain and improve three waters infrastructure, support reform of local government water services delivery arrangements, and support the operation of Taumata Arowai.

Three waters regulatory reform

On 27 July 2020, the Water Services Bill was introduced to Parliament (an announcement by the Minister of Local Government is available here: New water services bill for safe drinking water 28 July 2020). The Bill contains all of the details of the new drinking water regulatory system, and provisions relating to source water protection and Taumata Arowai’s wastewater and stormwater functions.

The Bill and its progress can be viewed on the Parliament website here: Water Services Bill

The Cabinet material that sought agreement to the Bill’s introduction can be viewed below: Cabinet papers and minutes (updated July 2020)

A second, complementary Bill, the Taumata Arowai – Water Services Regulator Bill, sets out Taumata Arowai’s objectives, general functions, and operating principles, and establishes Taumata Arowai as a Crown agent.

Earlier progress updates

See Earlier Updates