Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council have confirmed the name of their new joint water organisation as Tāheke – Bay Waters Limited. The organisation will deliver drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across the Bay of Plenty sub-region and will become operational on 1 July 2027 under the Government’s Local Water Done Well framework.
The name Tāheke refers to the flow of water descending or flowing down, from rain drops to waterfalls, describing water’s movement across the natural landscape. Bay Waters was inspired by the waters that define and connect the region. The name was developed through a collaborative process involving water services staff from both councils, tangata whenua representatives, Te Reo Māori experts, and Joint Committee representatives, with feedback gathered through workshops and wānanga.
For tangata whenua, the name holds significant cultural meaning, with water viewed as a living taonga and ancestor connected to whakapapa. The name reflects the journey of water from mountains to sea and emphasises the responsibility to honour previous generations while safeguarding future wellbeing. Both mayors emphasised that the naming process was about creating an identity that reflects water’s life-giving role and the organisation’s responsibility to communities.
Confirming the name represents an important milestone in the establishment process. The councils can now proceed with incorporating the Water Organisation, formalising the Board’s roles and responsibilities, and agreeing on the Statement of Expectations that will guide how the Board operates. Chief Executive Kevin Lavery said the focus is now on building an organisation that delivers reliable, high-quality water services and earns community trust.
Read the full article at Tauranga City Council – News →
Source: Tauranga City 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.
