Whakatāne District Council has adopted a Water Services Delivery Plan that sets out how it will manage drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services under the Government’s Local Water Done Well framework. The plan was formally accepted by the Department of Internal Affairs in November 2025 and confirms the council will continue delivering water services through an internal business unit until at least 30 June 2028. The council is also exploring the possibility of forming a joint Water Services Council Controlled Organisation with Kawerau District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council, and Rotorua Lakes District Council, with a decision expected by early 2027.
The council plans to invest $261.7 million in water infrastructure over the next decade to ensure services remain safe, reliable, and compliant with new national regulations. This investment will cover upgrades and renewals across all three water networks, with a focus on meeting regulatory requirements and supporting future growth. The substantial capital programme reflects the significant infrastructure challenges facing local government across New Zealand as councils work to meet higher drinking water and wastewater standards.
The council undertook comprehensive community engagement between April and June 2025, receiving hundreds of submissions on proposed water service delivery models. Feedback was mixed, with 50 per cent of submitters opposed to a multi-council controlled organisation option and 32 per cent in support. Following hearings in June 2025, the council confirmed it would establish a stand-alone internal business unit by 1 July 2027, while keeping the door open for future regional collaboration.
This approach aligns with the Local Water Done Well policy, which replaced the previous government’s Three Waters reform programme and gives councils greater flexibility to determine their own water service delivery models. All New Zealand councils are required to develop Water Services Delivery Plans demonstrating how they will meet regulatory requirements, support growth, and ensure financial sustainability while maintaining local decision-making and control.
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Source: Whakatane 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.
