As the year draws to a close, and while New Zealand's 67 territorial authorities are continuing to work through development of their water service delivery plans (WSDPs), the Government has introduced the third and final bill of its Local Water Done Well programme; the Local Government (Water Services) Bill.
In our last update, we provided an overview of the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024, which sets out the process for authorities to develop and consult on WSDPs. Authorities are required to submit their WSDPs (either individually or jointly with other authorities) to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025.
The Local Government (Water Services) Bill sets out the enduring arrangements for local delivery of water services and includes extensive provisions relating to (among other things):
- Governance arrangements for the provision of water services, and local authority decision-making requirements
- The powers, functions, and responsibilities of water service providers
- The establishment of consumer trusts to own/co-own water organisations
- Charging for water services
- The economic regulation of water services by the Commerce Commission
- Access to finance for CCOs established to provide water services
- Central government intervention.
The Bill has been referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee, and submissions are due on 23 February 2025. We will provide a more in-depth update on the Bill, touching on a number of the issues that those interested in making submissions may be working through, in the new year.
Our team of Local Water Done Well experts are advising some Authorities on the Preliminary Act as they work on their WSDPs, and would be happy to talk to you about any questions you have on the implementation of Local Water Done Well.
