13 November 2025
The region’s Water Services Delivery Plan Our Water, Our Way – submitted to central government in September – has been formally accepted by the Secretary for Local Government.
The acceptance marks a major milestone under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024, confirming the plan meets all statutory, financial and technical requirements for sustainable delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the outcome is a strong endorsement of the Council’s locally-led approach.
“Our community made it clear they wanted local control and accountability for our water services. The acceptance of our plan means we can now move forward with confidence to deliver that – by the region, for the region.”
Council’s plan, adopted in August, outlines the plan to implement a ring-fenced in-house business unit from 1 July 2027, to deliver water services that are financially sustainable, compliant with regulation, and responsive to growth.
It provides for $214 million in investment over the decade, renewal of nearly 50 kilometres of underground mains, and the creation of a dedicated Water Services Committee to support ongoing partnership with mana whenua.
Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said the Department of Internal Affairs’ review was rigorous and comprehensive.
“The assessment involved senior representatives from the Commerce Commission, Local Government Funding Agency, National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited, and the new Water Services Authority.
“The fact that our plan was accepted without amendment is a credit to the extensive work and collaboration that went into its preparation.”
The Department has confirmed the plan will now be published on both the Council’s and DIA’s websites, and that ongoing monitoring will occur as implementation begins.
Council is now focused on establishing the internal business unit by July 2027, with financial sustainability targets to be achieved by June 2028.
“This is a huge step forward for Tairāwhiti,” said Mayor Stoltz.
“It means we’re keeping local decision-making local – while building the capability and systems we need to deliver safe, reliable and affordable water for generations to come.”
Read the Our Way, Our Way plan on our webpage