Council keen to talk funding with Government during discussions on New Zealand’s water management

Local Government Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, released Cabinet's Three Waters Review paper on Tuesday. It looks at reshaping drinking water regulations and explores different water service delivery options.

“One of these delivery options is mandatory aggregation, something which has not gone down well with a significant number of councils across the country. I join our national representative, LGNZ, in flatly opposing any attempt to impose a one-size-fits -all approach, which will lead to mandatory aggregation,” says Kāpiti District Mayor K Gurunathan.

“Such an approach fails to recognise that Councils across the country are a diverse bunch, which needs a tailored policy making approach to manage the many challenges we face.”

“The Kāpiti Coast District, for instance, was recently commended by the Auditor General's Office. An audit report held Kāpiti up as a good example in demand managing drinking water supply,” Mayor K Gurunathan says. 

"While we recognise that each district is facing different challenges around demand and supply, we do have something to contribute to these discussions having successfully developed and implemented an approach that works.”

“Central government has recognised the funding constraints faced by councils so if central government is committed to discussions with local government they have to come to the table with some serious funding options.”