Hauraki water management in the spotlight

Waihou River from the Puke Wharf Paeroa.

Hauraki District Council has agreed to investigate the future of three waters service delivery, as required by government’s local water done well legislation.

Elected members have unanimously decided to sign the Waikato Water Done Well Heads of Agreement which will enable the council to investigate a sub-regional approach with other Waikato councils, in parallel with the co-design of a wider regional model.

“We have the option of going it alone and continuing as we are, with an enhanced business unit to comply with expected regulations, or work in collaboration with our Waikato and neighbouring councils to get the benefits of scale; quality standards and resilience”, Hauraki District mayor Toby Adams said following the Wednesday meeting.

The agreement is non-binding between participating Waikato councils to progress a detailed business case for a collective approach which could include joining with other councils to form a regional multi-council-controlled organisation or form a single council water organisation.

“Based on the latest Local water done well legislation all councils must explore a status quo option and at least two other options including collaboration, so we have big decisions to make and as importantly, our communities need ample opportunity to have their say on the options we present,” Adams said.

“Key to the success of any option will be the clear understanding of who will do what and when, who will own it and who will pay for it; once we’ve nailed that down, we’ll head out to our communities around March 2025 for a public consultation.”

All councils across New Zealand are also required to produce a water services delivery plan by September 2025, ensuring future delivery is financially sustainable and meets quality standards, as based on each council’s preferred water service delivery model.

Hauraki District Council chief executive David Speirs said council staff were on track for meeting the September, 2025 deadline.

“Public consultation and decisions will feed into the water service delivery plan by June next year, so we’re confident of delivering a well-informed, well-structured and well-resourced plan on time for the Department of Internal Affairs’ September 3 deadline.

“For now, it is business as usual for council staff, and you can be assured that we’re focused on making a decision to progress with a water services delivery model that will have as little disruption as possible for staff and community,” he said.

Adams said water infrastructure ownership would be the main consideration for Hauraki ratepayers.

“Essentially local water done well prioritises water asset ownership back with local councils, which is where we always believed it belonged.

“The goal now is to work with our local and wider communities to find the solution that will serve this generation and many generations to come, what an opportunity we have in the mighty Waikato; I encourage everyone to get involved in council’s kōrereo in March and April next year,” he said.

The feasibility studies will be brought to a working party in February and final options presented to the public for consultation by the end of March 2025.