Central Hawke's Bay is caught between a rock and a hard place, says the district's mayor after the Government last week announced further details of its proposed Three Waters reforms.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker says the announcement clarified some important points on ownership and accountability.
"But I am still disappointed that the work we have done to front-foot and lead a regional approach with our Hawke's Bay neighbours has been turned down."
Infrastructure Minister Grant Robertson and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta detailed the Government's response to the recommendations of the Government-appointed Three Waters Working Group, and councils' shareholdings in the new multi-region entities.
These included a public shareholding structure that makes community ownership clear, with shares allocated to councils reflective of the size of their communities (one share per 50,000 people); further strengthening and clarifying the role of the Regional Representative Group with joint oversight from local councils and mana whenua; maintaining that board members are to be appointed based on skills and competency; strengthening connections to smaller communities including through local sub-committees feeding into the Regional Representative Group; and recognising and embracing Te Mana o te Wai - the health and wellbeing of waterways and water bodies - as a korowai, or principle, that applies across the water services framework.