Government approves water services plans for all mainland councils

The government has approved plans for water services under its 'Local Water Done Well' model for all mainland councils across the country.

The final holdout, Waitaki, will join Central Otago, Clutha, and Gore in the new Southern Water, with former National Party Minister Amy Adams concluding her role as Crown facilitator at the council.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts said five new council-controlled organisations were already operating - IAWAI and Waikato Waters in Waikato, Tiaki Wai in Wellington, one in Kaikōura-Hurunui, and Selwyn Water - with 13 more to launch over the next year.

"Waitaki is not alone in facing challenges around the affordability and reliability of water services. Working together through a regional organisation is a positive step forward. It provides scale, better use of expertise and capacity, and improved access to finance," Watts said.

"While there is more work to do, this milestone shows we are making strong progress delivering more reliable, sustainable water services for New Zealanders."

He thanked Adams for her work at Waitaki and also acknowledged the support provided across the country by the Department of Internal Affairs' water services team, which from Wednesday was moving to the new Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT).

The Chatham Islands Council - not on the mainland - will have another two years to provide its amended plan, by the middle of 2028, with further decisions on funding needed.