The Government's Local Water Done Well policy is changing how drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services are managed across the country.
Following public consultation, Gisborne District Council decided to keep these services under Council ownership and control through a dedicated Water Services Business Unit.
The reforms aim to provide safe, reliable water services, protect drinking water sources and support environmentally sustainable management of wastewater and stormwater.
What this means for our community
For most people, water services will continue to operate as normal.
Gisborne District Council will continue to own and manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the district.
From 1 July 2027, water services charges will appear separately from other Council rates. This reflects new requirements to keep water services finances separate from other Council activities.
This is not a new charge and does not mean people will pay twice for water services. It simply makes the cost of providing these services clearer and improves transparency and accountability.
Most of the changes are happening behind the scenes. We are:
- Establishing a financially ring-fenced Water Services Business Unit
- Developing long-term planning and investment programmes
- Introducing separate financial reporting for water services
- Strengthening asset management and service planning
- Meeting new legislative and regulatory requirements
This work will help us continue to provide safe, reliable and sustainable water services for our community.
Our Water, Our Way - Water Services Delivery Plan
The Government has accepted Our Water, Our Way, Gisborne's Water Services Delivery Plan. The plan sets out how we'll continue to deliver water services under the Local Water Done Well reforms. It confirms our commitment to local ownership, local decision-making and sustainable water services for our community.
We are now implementing the plan ahead of the Water Services Business Unit beginning operations on 1 July 2027. This plan includes:
- $214 million of investment in water infrastructure
- Renewal of nearly 50km of underground water mains
- A dedicated Water Services Committee to support partnership with mana whenua
Read the plan
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Timeline to 1 July 2027
- 12 December 2024 - Council considered delivery options and approved in principal a preferred approach for community consultation Report on Council agenda
- April - May 2025 - community consultation on water service delivery options
- August 2025 - Council adopted the Water Services Delivery Plan - Report on Council agenda
- November 2025 - The Government accepted Gisborne's Water Services Delivery Plan
- February 2026 - Council established the Interim Water Management Committee
- 2026 - 2027 - We develop key planning, financial and operational frameworks
- Early 2027 - We consult on the Water Services Strategy alongside the Long Term Plan
- June 2027 - Council adopts the Water Services Strategy
- 1 July 2027 - The Water Services Business Unit begins operating.
Public Disclosure Information
1 AUGUST 2026
Why are we publishing this information?
As part of the Government's water services reforms, all water service providers are required to publicly disclose information about how water supply and wastewater (excludes Stormwater) are funded, charged for and governed. These disclosures help ensure transparency and accountability while supporting the delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable water services for our community.
Statement for Funding Growth
Gisborne District Council’s Water Services Business Unit operates as an internal business unit of Gisborne District Council.
The Council’s primary policy for funding growth-related infrastructure is the Development Contributions Policy 2024. The policy provides for the recovery of the growth-related share of capital expenditure required to service new development and increased demand for community and network infrastructure arising from growth.
Where infrastructure projects include a combination of growth, renewal and level-of-service components, only the growth component is recovered through development contributions. Renewal and level-of-service costs are funded separately through other funding sources in accordance with Council's funding and financing framework.
The Water Services Business Unit applies the principles of user-pays, transparency and financial ring-fencing when considering the funding of growth-related infrastructure investment.
Read the full Development Contributions Policy 2024.
Council is currently reviewing its approach to growth funding as part of the development of the 2028–2037 Long Term Plan and Water Services Strategy. This review will also consider any legislative changes arising from the proposed Local Government (Infrastructure Funding) Amendment Bill, including the proposed development levies framework.
Dividends Statement
Gisborne District Council's Water Services Business Unit is an internal business unit of the Gisborne District Council and, unlike a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) is not established as a separate legal entity with shareholders.
The Water Services Business Unit does not have a dividends policy and is not intended to pay dividends. Any operating surpluses generated from water services activities will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 and Council's financial management framework for water services.
Water Services Charges
As part of the Local Water Done Well reforms, regulated water service providers are required to publicly disclose information about the charges that apply to their water services.
This schedule outlines the fees and charges for Gisborne District Council's drinking water and wastewater services. It includes information about who each charge applies to, when it is payable, and how the charge is calculated.
The information has been prepared to meet the requirements of the Commerce Commission's Water Services Information Disclosure Determination 2026 and will be reviewed and updated as part of Council's annual planning and fees and charges process.
Gisborne District Council does not currently collect Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) levies for water services. Growth-related water infrastructure is currently funded through Council's Development Contributions Policy where applicable.
This document provides information required to meet the Council’s obligations under the Water Services Information Disclosure Determination 2026.
For more information
About the Water Services Delivery Plans, the future water services delivery system and legislation: