A major Government-led reform of New Zealand's drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services (the 'three waters') is under way. We're working through understanding what it could mean for our community.
What you need to know
Challenges for councils
At the moment, New Zealand's drinking water, wastewater and stormwater (the 'three waters') services are mostly provided by 67 local councils, including ours.
However, councils around the country are facing a number of challenges, including:
- large debt and affordability issues
- meeting safety standards and environmental expectations
- building resilience to natural hazards and climate change into their three waters networks
- supporting the growth of their communities.
There are also increasing concerns about the quality of New Zealand's drinking water and the safety of the infrastructure that delivers it.
New water regulator - Taumata Arowai
The Government's inquiry into the 2016 drinking-water contamination outbreak in Havelock North, and the following Three Waters Review, has led to the introduction of a new national regulator for water services called Taumata Arowai(external link).
Taumata Arowai has responsibility for overseeing and enforcing new drinking-water regulations and providing oversight of the environmental impacts of wastewater and stormwater.
The Taumata Arowai – Water Services Regulator Act, passed in July 2020, established Taumata Arowai as a Crown entity.
In November 2021, Taumata Arowai assumed its role and powers as the new independent water services regulator for New Zealand under the new Water Services Act 2021, replacing the previous responsibilities of the Ministry of Health.
Legislation
The Water Services Act 2021 was passed into law in October 2021. The Act contains all of the details of the new regulatory regime for the supply of drinking water and Taumata Arowai's role and powers relating to wastewater and stormwater networks.
The Waters Services Entities Act (WSE Act) was passed in December 2022 and establishes the four new water service entities and outlines how the water services entities will be formed and operate.
The Water Services Legislation Bill proposes amendments to the WSE Act and other Acts to varying degrees. It mostly adds new parts to give the detailed powers necessary for the WSEs to operate.
The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill was introduced to the house on 8 December 2022. This Bill implements Cabinet’s agreement to establish an economic regulation and consumer protection regime as part of the Three Waters reform.
The Water Services Legislation Bill and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill consultation closed on 12 February 2023.
What's planned
Water services entities
The Government is establishing four publicly owned water services entities across New Zealand.
Christchurch is included in ‘Entity D’, which comprises the Ngāi Tahu takiwā – the tribal boundary that covers most of the South Island.
This entity will provide drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to a population of more than 850,000 people.
The proposed structure will see the 20 councils in most of the South Island represented by six elected members and six iwi representatives in a Regional Representative Group.
The Regional Representative Group will appoint an independent selection panel, which in turn would appoint the water entity’s board members.
The board members will independently govern the entity.
Councils will be the owners of the entities, on behalf of their communities. Ownership will be enabled through shares assigned to each council per 50,000 people in its district, with at least one share for each council.
Read the Government's frequently asked questions about the entities(external link).
Support package
On 15 July 2021, the Government announced a three waters support package.
The $2 billion package has been pre-allocated to councils based on a nationally consistent formula, and is available in two tranches. The first $500 million of Crown Funding was made available from 1 July 2022 and the remaining $1.5 billion is available from 1 July 2024, when ‘Entity D’ is operational.
Christchurch will get $122.4 million, and this money can go towards projects that meet specific criteria related to improving resilience to climate change, housing development, and community wellbeing.
What the Government wants to achieve
The Government's main objective of the Three Waters Reform Programme is to provide a more efficient and consistent way of delivering three waters services across the country.
It is believed that by councils and communities joining together to provide these services at a larger scale, greater efficiencies and capabilities can be achieved.
Other specific objectives of the Three Waters Reform Programme can be summarised as follows:
Safe and reliable drinking water
For all New Zealanders and visitors. In 2016, thousands of people were infected in Havelock North by drinking water from contaminated bores. Four people died and others were left permanently disabled.
Affordable water services in the future
In some parts of the country, it is becoming increasingly unaffordable for councils, especially smaller councils with fewer ratepayers, to provide safe and reliable three waters services.
Climate change readiness
Increasing flooding events and sea-level rise will put pressure on three waters infrastructure and services. The Government is concerned about the ability of councils to meet this challenge without reform
Same level of service for everyone
With 67 councils providing three waters services across the country, some communities receive a different level of service to others. The reform aims to provide a more consistent level of service for New Zealanders.
Proper investment in infrastructure
Through stage one of the reform process, the Government concluded there is ongoing underinvestment in three waters infrastructure in parts of the country. There may be large costs over the next 30 years as infrastructure is brought up to standard. These costs may be too much for some councils to carry alone.
Giving effect to Te Mana o Te Wai
The Government wants to deliver on its Treaty of Waitangi obligations, including improving outcomes for iwi/Māori in relation to three waters service delivery and upholding Te Mana o Te Wai – the vital importance of water.
All water services meeting new requirements
With a new national water regulator, Taumata Arowai, and a new economic regulator being set up, the Government is concerned councils may not be able to meet future requirements without reform.
How Christchurch City Council is involved
Our three waters network
Christchurch City Council is the largest council in Aotearoa New Zealand that directly owns and manages three waters infrastructure on behalf of the community.
We have a large and complex three waters network that includes pipes, pumps, well heads, treatment plants, reservoirs, and a complex stormwater system made up of everything from pipes and drains to roads, parks and wetlands.
Preparing for the transfer of services
The Government’s water reform programme will see our three water assets transfer to the new entity, alongside the three water assets of 19 other South Island councils.
This is a one of the largest reforms in New Zealand history. It will impact all parts of our organisation and we’re preparing now to ensure we get the best outcomes for our communities and staff. We’re working with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and their National Transition Unit (NTU) to ensure a smooth transition of services.
There are a number of outcomes we need to achieve before Entity D begins operating in July 2024. We’re organising and optimising our workforce, assets, operations, data, and finances now so we’re in the best shape possible for the transfer.
Opposition to water reform
On 9 December 2021 the Council resolved to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work cooperatively with at least 21 other co-signing councils to convince the Government to reconsider its plans to reform water services across New Zealand. This group is called Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD).
Since then, the Council has recommitted to its relationship with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga. As part of this the Council has formally apologised to the rūnanga for its failure to consult with them before deciding to join C4LD. The Council has also withdrawn from the group.
The Council remains opposed to the model proposed in the Government’s Three Waters reform – as evidenced by its recent submission on the Water Services Entities Bill(external link). While opposing the model of reforms we do want to work constructively with central government and our partners to improve the model for our communities and ultimately to achieve the desired outcomes of the reform.
Next steps
Legislation
The Water Services Entities Bill and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill are currently out for public consultation. Consultation closes on 12 February.
Working groups
Council staff are actively involved in numerous working groups at a national and regional level to support the transition.
News and updates
2023
- Have your say on three waters reform bills (external link)23 January 2023
2022
- Council wants re-think of Water Services Entities Bill(external link) 7 July 2022
- Mayor urges people to submit on Water Services Entities Bill(external link) 23 June 2022
- More work still needed on three waters reforms says Mayor(external link) 29 Apr 2022
2021
- Christchurch joins councils opposing three waters reform(external link) 9 Dec 2021
- Council meets with new water services regulator(external link) 3 Dec 2021
- Government's three waters decision 'extremely disappointing'(external link) 27 Oct 2021
- Mayor sends Minister letter on three waters delivery model(external link) 4 Oct 2021
- Council rejects proposed approach to water reforms(external link) 27 Sep 2021
- Three waters reform model flawed, says Mayor(external link) 22 Sep 2021
- Water survey results are in(external link) 13 Sep 2021
- Survey to gauge people's views on water(external link) 24 Aug 2021
- Canterbury mayors ask for pause in three waters reform(external link) 23 Aug 2021
- Presentation to the Three Waters, Infrastructure and Environment Committee(external link) 11 Aug 2021
- Mayor Lianne Dalziel: Too early to make call on water reforms (external link)30 Jun 2021
- Water networks key focus for investment(external link) 23 Jun 2021
- Mayor comments on Government's water reform reports(external link) 2 Jun 2021
- Chlorine-free water supply still a top priority(external link) 26 May 2021
2020
- Funding boost for water infrastructure(external link) 7 Dec 2020
- Council signs up to first stage of water reforms(external link) 25 Aug 2020
- Decision looms on stage one water reforms(external link) 20 Aug 2020
Water reform discussions under way(external link) 6 Aug 2020
Document library
Christchurch City Council submissions
Learn more about the Government's Three Waters Reform Programme
- Government's Frequently Asked Questions about Three Waters Reform(external link)
- Government's Three Waters Reform Programme webpage(external link)
- Taumata Arowai website(external link)
- Recommendations from the Working Group on Representation, Governance and Accountability of New Water Services Entities (external link)
Timeline of reform
2016
- Campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North.
- Thousands of people were infected by drinking water from contaminated bores.
- Four people died and others were left permanently disabled.
2017
- Government inquiry into the Havelock North drinking-water contamination.
2017 to 2019
- The Government's Three Waters review.
2019 to 2021
December 2019 to March 2021:
- Taumata Arowai set up as a Crown Entity, to regulate drinking water from late 2021.
2020
May:
- Three Waters Steering Committee set up to oversee the Three Waters Reform Programme.
July:
- Water Services Bill introduced, containing details of a new regulatory system.
- Government financial package announced to improve water services delivery and to explore water reform in partnership with councils as part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
August:
- Christchurch City Council signs the MoU with the Government to receive the financial package and to explore water reform options.
2021
April to June:
- Government to make more detailed decisions about the Three Waters Reform proposal.
June to July:
- Government-led nationwide education campaign to help New Zealanders understand the Three Waters Reform Programme.
August to September:
- Eight-week engagement period with the Government, to better understand the implications of reform for councils and communities.
- The Water Services Bill is passed into law, becoming the Water Services Act 2021. The Act contains all of the details of the new drinking-water regulations, the requirements for the protection of freshwater supplies, and Taumata Arowai’s wastewater and stormwater functions.
October:
- The Government announced it will introduce legislation to move ahead with setting up four independent entities to control drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services in New Zealand, as outlined in its proposal earlier in the year.
- The decision means councils and communities will no longer have a choice about whether to be a part of the new entities; it will be mandated by the Government.
November:
- Taumata Arowai takes over from the Ministry of Health as New Zealand's drinking-water regulator.
2022
- Preparation for forming the new water services entities.
June:
- The Water Services Entities Bill was introduced to the House.
December:
- The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill was introduced to the House.
- Water Services Entities Bill given Royal Asset.
2024
- New entities are expected to start providing water services.