As part of New Zealand's water services reforms, we're required to publish information about how drinking water and wastewater (excludes stormwater) services are funded, charged for and governed.
This information gives our community greater visibility of how water services are managed, what charges apply and how investment decisions are made.
Making this information publicly available supports transparency and accountability while helping customers understand how we plan and invest in the infrastructure needed to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable water services across Tairāwhiti.
Funding growth
Gisborne District Council's Water Services Business Unit operates as an internal business unit of Gisborne District Council.
Our primary approach to funding growth-related water infrastructure is through the Development Contributions Policy.
The policy allows us to recover the growth-related share of capital costs needed to support new development and increased demand on community and network infrastructure.
Where an infrastructure project includes growth, renewal and level-of-service improvements, only the growth-related component is recovered through development contributions. Renewal and level-of-service costs are funded separately through other sources in line with our 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.
We're currently reviewing our approach to funding growth as part of developing the 2027-2037 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.
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Dividends
The Water Services Business Unit is part of Gisborne District Council and is not a separate organisation with shareholders, unlike a council-controlled organisation (CCO).
Because of this, it does not have a dividends policy and is not intended to pay dividends.
Any operating surpluses from water services activities are managed in accordance with the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 and our financial management framework for water services.
Water services charges
As part of the Local Water Done Well reforms, regulated water service providers must publicly disclose information about the charges that apply to their water services.
The schedule below outlines the fees and charges for Gisborne District Council's drinking water and wastewater services. It explains:
- who each charge applies to
- when it is payable
- how it is calculated.
This information has been prepared to meet the requirements of the Commerce Commission's Water Services Information Disclosure Determination 2026. It will be reviewed and updated as part of our annual planning and fees and charges process.
We do not currently collect Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) levies for water services. Where applicable, growth-related water infrastructure is currently funded through our Development Contributions Policy.
This document provides information required to meet Council's obligations under the Water Services Information Disclosure Determination 2026.
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Questions about these disclosures?
Find answers to common questions about water services funding, charges and governance.