Local Water Done Well

Overview 

The Local Water Done Well (LWDW) programme, started in February 2024, which replaced the former Three Waters Reform. The key points are:

• The Three Waters legislation has been repealed.
• Restoration of council ownership and control over water services including drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
• There are strict rules for water quality and infrastructure investment.
• Water services must be financially sustainable.

All councils in New Zealand must create - Water Services Delivery Plans (WSDPs) outlining how they will provide and pay for water services. These plans must be submitted to the Secretary for Local Government by 3 September 2025 and demonstrate financial stability by 1 July 2028.

On 22 July the Council resolved to deliver water and wastewater services through an NPDC Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) and continue to deliver stormwater services through an in-house business unit. Water Service Delivery Plans for both were formally adopted on 12 August and NPDC has now entered the establishment phase of its WSCCO. 

This marks the beginning of a new chapter in how water services will be delivered, with foundational steps now underway to support the transition.

In July South Taranaki and Stratford district councils recommended keeping delivering water services in house.

What is a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP)?

• Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) is a plan to demonstrate how we can provide water services while we:

1. Meet our level of services.
2. Meet all regulatory and drinking water quality standards.
3. Ensure financial sustainability by 1 July 2028.
4. Unlock housing growth and urban development as specified in the Long-Term Plan (LTP).

• The plan must cover the consultation process and be adopted by council resolution. It can cover up to a 30-year outlook but requires a minimum of a 10-year period.

We drafted Water Services Delivery Plans (WSDPs) for a Regional WSCCO for water and wastewater services - a joint initiative with South Taranaki and Stratford district councils, as well as an NPDC WSCCO and one for in-house delivery. 

We consulted on all three and, along with a separate plan for stormwater. Following the Council’s decision on 22 July 2025, we are now finalising the following WSDPs for submission to the Government by 3 September.

• An asset-owning NPDC Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation for the delivery of drinking water and wastewater services. See latest WSDP
• Stormwater asset ownership and service delivery will remain with the Council. See latest WSDP for stormwater.

The Legislation

• The Local Water Done Well: Three-Stage Legislation Process:

1. The Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024: Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024 No 2 (as at 17 February 2025), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation.
2. The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024: Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 No 31, Public Act Part 1 Preliminary provisions – New Zealand Legislation.
3. Local Government (Water Services) Bill Local Government (Water Services) Bill 108-1 (2024), Government Bill Explanatory note – New Zealand Legislation.

• Key Ministerial press releases and other updates about Local Water Done Well: Water Services Policy News and updates - dia.govt.nz.
• For more information on the Act and WSDPs go to Department of Internal Affairs website.

Council Meetings related to LWDW

• 8 October 2024: Extraordinary Council - Water Service Delivery for Taranaki.  Read the report and minutes or view a recording of the meeting. 

• 16 December 2024:  Council meeting. Read the report and minutes or view a recording of the meeting.

• 19 February 2025:  Extraordinary Council - Local Water Done Well. Read the report and minutes or view a recording of the meeting. 

• 16 April 2025: Extraordinary Council meeting to adopt Local Water Done Well Consultation Document. Read report and minutes.
• 30 May 2025: Public Consultation ended. View individual submissions here.
• 1 July 2025: Hearing for verbal submissions. See list of speakers here.
• 22 July 2025:  Council meeting to deliberate public feedback and recommend a water services delivery model.  The decision was to recommend setting up a NPDC Water Service Delivery Council-Controlled Organisation to deliver drinking and wastewater services and continue to deliver stormwater services from in house.  Read the minutes from this meeting.  
• 12 August: WDSP adopted at Council meeting. See minutes here