Kawerau District Council is working with three neighbouring councils to explore a potential multi-council water services grouping under the Government’s Local Water Done Well framework. The working group includes the mayors of Kawerau, Rotorua Lakes, Opotiki, and Whakatane District Councils, and is preparing a technical report for community consultation later in 2026.
Earlier in 2025, Kawerau consulted its community on water service delivery options and received 107 submissions, with 103 supporting an in-house business unit model. Following this consultation, Council adopted the in-house delivery model as its preferred approach and submitted its Water Services Delivery Plan to the Department of Internal Affairs, which was accepted in October 2025. Despite choosing the in-house model, Council resolved to continue exploring collaboration opportunities with the three neighbouring councils.
The Local Water Done Well legislation requires all councils to establish a financially sustainable corporate structure for delivering drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services. Kawerau’s Water Services Delivery Plan outlines approximately 30 million dollars in planned infrastructure investment to 2034, including 13.5 million dollars for drinking water assets, 15 million dollars for wastewater networks, and additional investment for the Stoneham Park Development. Key projects include replacing ageing steel and AC pipes, installing a manganese removal plant, and ongoing treatment plant upgrades.
The Regional Waters Working Group agreed in July 2026 that the final technical report will include clear recommendations on a preferred option, to be presented with a governance model that includes iwi representation. Each council will consider these recommendations in September and October 2026, with full implementation of separated water service business units required by 1 July 2028.
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Source: Kawerau District Council – News. This summary was published by Input Ltd via amalgamation.nz, New Zealand’s central resource for local government amalgamation news and council merger updates.
