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• The Three Waters legislation has been repealed.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.

Update July 2025: Both South Taranaki and Stratford district councils have 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 have drafted Water Services Delivery Plans (WSDPs) for all three delivery models consulted on, 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.

Where we are now and next steps

• 12 August: Seeking formal adoption of WDSP at Council meeting. 
• 3 September: Deadline for WSDP to be submitted.

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.