Rotorua Lakes Council is working with three eastern Bay of Plenty councils to investigate a potential multi-council model for delivering water, wastewater, and stormwater services under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy. The council has decided to keep water services in-house for now, with a transition to a multi-council model planned for 2028. Following community consultation and government acceptance of its Water Services Delivery Plan in October 2025, Rotorua Lakes Council committed to explore a joint water services Council-Controlled Organisation with willing regional partners.
The Regional Waters Working Group has been meeting regularly through 2026 to work through detailed technical analysis. Recent discussions in April and May 2026 have focused on supporting iwi and hapū participation, reviewing 30-year financial modelling, and assessing varying council costs for delivering water services. A public workshop in May 2026 updated elected members on progress, with reports now bringing together financial, economic, governance, decision-making, and service delivery considerations ahead of public consultation later this year.
Local Water Done Well is the government’s response to New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges, emphasising local decision-making and flexibility for communities and councils. Councils were required to develop Water Services Delivery Plans demonstrating their commitment to meeting regulatory requirements, supporting growth, and achieving financial sustainability. The policy provides various delivery models for councils to choose from, including multi-council arrangements, as long as minimum conditions are met including regulatory standards, financial sustainability, and restrictions against privatisation.
Rotorua Lakes Council’s 2024-2034 Long-term Plan includes $427.5 million investment in water infrastructure over 10 years, covering water supplies, stormwater, and wastewater. A final decision on whether water services will be delivered by a multi-council model or a Rotorua Lakes Council Council-Controlled Organisation is expected in 2027, with implementation by July 2028.
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Source: Rotorua Lakes 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.
