New Zealand’s water reforms are moving fast, and the picture changes by the month. This tracker sets out which councils have already established a Water Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) under Local Water Done Well, and which regions are still working through the process. We update it as councils confirm new decisions.
Established Water CCOs
| CCO name | Councils (shareholders) | Status | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiaki Wai (Tiaki Wai Metro Water Ltd) | Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City, Greater Wellington Regional Council | Legally established Oct 2025; operational from 1 July 2026 | tiakiwai.co.nz |
| Waikato Waters Ltd (WWL) | Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā, Waitomo, Taupō (7 councils) | Shareholders’ Agreement signed; operational from 1 July 2026 | waikatowaters.co.nz |
| IAWAI – Flowing Waters | Hamilton City, Waikato District (50:50, with Waikato-Tainui as partner) | Incorporated 1 July 2025; fully operational from 1 July 2026 | iawai.co.nz |
| Selwyn Water Limited | Selwyn District Council (single council) | Established July 2025; operational from 1 July 2026. Temporary name, permanent brand due in 2026 | selwynwater.co.nz |
| Southern Waters Ltd | Central Otago, Clutha, Gore, Waitaki | DIA-approved; going live July 2027. Waitaki rejoined April 2026 after its solo plan was rejected | southernwaters.co.nz |
| Watercare | Auckland Council (sole owner) | Existing entity, not a new CCO. Being made financially independent of Council’s balance sheet | watercare.co.nz |
Tiaki Wai took over water operations for the Wellington metro area on 1 July 2026, replacing Wellington Water Ltd. It is jointly owned by Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City and Greater Wellington Regional Council. More information is available on the Tiaki Wai website.
Waikato Waters Ltd is the largest joint CCO in New Zealand, bringing together seven district councils: Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā, Waitomo and Taupō. The Shareholders’ Agreement has been signed and the entity is operational from 1 July 2026. Details are on the Waikato Water Done Well website.
IAWAI – Flowing Waters is a separate entity from Waikato Waters Ltd, formed by Hamilton City and Waikato District councils on a 50:50 basis, in partnership with Waikato-Tainui. It was incorporated on 1 July 2025 and became fully operational from 1 July 2026. More information is on the IAWAI website.
Selwyn Water Limited was established in July 2025 to deliver drinking water and wastewater services for Selwyn District Council alone. Selwyn Water is a temporary name, with a permanent brand due to be announced in 2026. Details are on the Selwyn Water website.
Southern Waters Ltd serves the lower South Island, covering Central Otago, Clutha, Gore and Waitaki district councils. Waitaki originally opted for an in-house model before rejoining in April 2026, after the Department of Internal Affairs rejected its standalone Water Services Delivery Plan. Southern Waters is DIA-approved and goes live in July 2027. More information is on the Southern Waters website.
Watercare is not a new CCO but an existing one being reformed under Local Water Done Well. It remains owned and operated by Auckland Council, but is being made financially independent, with its debt no longer counted on Council’s balance sheet. Details are on the Watercare website.
Water CCOs still in progress
| Region | Working name | Councils | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northland | Northland Waters Limited (Northland Water Done Well / Ngā Wai o Tai Tokerau) | Far North, Whangārei, Kaipara | Recommitted in principle April 2026; incorporation expected around May 2026, full service delivery from July 2027 |
| Hawke’s Bay | Not yet named | Hastings, Napier, Central Hawke’s Bay, Wairoa | Proposed regional CCO; final decision and name not yet confirmed |
| Taranaki | Not yet named | New Plymouth, Stratford, South Taranaki | Proposed regional CCO; final decision and name not yet confirmed |
| Western Bay of Plenty / Tauranga | Not yet named | Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City | Unresolved. Western Bay targeting July 2027; Tauranga proposing a later timeline |
| Wairarapa / Tararua | Not yet named | South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton, Tararua | Progressing a joint Water Services Delivery Plan, separate from the Wellington metro CCO |
| Christchurch | No CCO — status quo | Christchurch City (alone) | Retaining full in-house delivery rather than joining a CCO |
Northland Waters Limited (working name: Northland Water Done Well, or Ngā Wai o Tai Tokerau) will serve Far North, Whangārei and Kaipara district councils. The three councils recommitted in principle in April 2026, with incorporation expected around May 2026 and full service delivery from July 2027.
Hawke’s Bay councils — Hastings, Napier, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa — have proposed a single regional CCO, though a final decision and name are not yet confirmed. We are checking for the latest developments here.
Taranaki councils — New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki — have proposed a regional CCO, though a final decision and name are not yet confirmed. We are checking for the latest developments here.
Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga have not yet settled on a shared model. Western Bay of Plenty is targeting July 2027 for a joint CCO, while Tauranga City is proposing a later timeline, leaving the two councils’ approach unresolved.
Wairarapa and Tararua councils — South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton and Tararua — are progressing a joint Water Services Delivery Plan and new entity, separate from the Wellington metro CCO.
Christchurch City Council has chosen to retain full in-house delivery of its water services rather than join a CCO.
Information sourced from council websites, CCO establishment announcements, and Department of Internal Affairs updates. Last verified July 2026.
