The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Once again we find we been badly let down by National. Chris Luxon’s assurances to reign in co-governance were nothing but hollow promises.

The Democracy Action newsletter from earlier this month proves voters have been treated as ‘suckers’ by Luxon/National because they are allowing local bodies to firmly embed co-governance into new water management structures.

“…will ensure that drinking water, stormwater and wastewater remain in local control” was nothing but political duplicity and political double speak

Once again we see Simon Watts, as minister of local government, carrying the co-governance torch for Luxon, prioritizing unelected influence over equal rights. Watts is acting as a frontman for Luxon’s broader strategy to further cement tribal authority.

This isn’t just a policy shift; Local Water Done Well has turned out to be a deliberate watering down of every citizen’s democratic voice to empower a select few.

Watts is allowing the institutionalisation of co-governance structures that dilute the voting power of the broader citizenry. By centralising control within Māori leadership, the administration is effectively divesting the public of their right to equal democratic participation.

The below is from a 2023 email sent out by National and titled “Local Water Done Well”

Labour has pushed through parliament its undemocratic and unpopular Three Waters policy which is an asset grab that would take water services off the local communities who own them, and transfer them to four mega-entities that have mandatory co-governance. It’s the wrong answer and no one wants it.

National will repeal Three Waters and replace it with our Local Water Done Well plan. It will ensure that drinking water, stormwater and wastewater remain in local control.

Our plan

One – National will, in its first 100 days, repeal Labour’s Three Waters legislation and scrap the four mega-entities, with prescribed co-governance, that goes with them.

Two – We will restore council ownership and control, but with stronger central government oversight because we’re not simply going back to the old way of doing things that hasn’t worked.

Three – We will set strict rules for water quality, and for investment in infrastructure, so Kiwis don’t have to worry about sewage on their streets, un-swimmable beaches, or having to boil their drinking water.

Four – We will ensure water services are financially sustainable so that future generations don’t inherit outdated or failing infrastructure. Financial sustainability means there’s enough money coming in, either from rates or from user-pays, to cover the maintenance and depreciation of infrastructure and investment in new assets

https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/watered_down_democracy

Across New Zealand, new water service entities are being established under the Government’s “Local Water Done Well” framework, marking a significant shift in how water services are owned, controlled, and politically overseen.

In regions like Wellington, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay, councils retain ownership on paper, but control shifts to independent corporatised entities with shared governance – reducing public influence and direct accountability to voters. These models also include iwi as decision-making partners, despite the government’s commitment to remove co-governance from public services.

Wellington

In metropolitan Wellington, five councils – Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City, Porirua City, and Greater Wellington Regional Council – have partnered with Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika to establish a new, council-owned water services organisation to replace Wellington Water.

Strategic documents signal an emphasis on partnership with iwi and on incorporating concepts such as te mana o te wai and Treaty principles to guide the organisation’s approach.

The new partnership model, named Tiaki Wai, includes iwi in long-term planning, governance, and operational management. It will be owned by the five councils and overseen by a Partners Committee, which provides overall governance. The committee includes one elected member from each council and one representative from each mana whenua partner. It sets expectations for how Tiaki Wai will operate, agrees on its strategic direction, and appoints the board of directors, which makes decisions about how water services are planned, funded, and delivered, working within the direction set by the partners committee.

The public consultation on the initial Water Services Strategy is open from March 25 to April 22, 2026. You can provide feedback on the Tiaki Wai website.

For more information, see:

Waikato

In the Waikato, Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council are transferring their drinking water and wastewater assets to IAWAI – Flowing Waters Ltd, which is intended to manage and operate the region’s water infrastructure, including treatment plants, reservoirs, and pipes. Stormwater assets will remain council owned but are to be managed by IAWAI under contract.

IAWAI is jointly and equally owned by Hamilton and Waikato Councils but is governed by an independent board. A key feature is the partnership with Waikato-Tainui, intended to embed a Te Ao Māori perspective in water services, including mātauranga Māori and kaitiakitanga.

The model is grounded in recognition of Waikato-Tainui rights and interests in water, Treaty of Waitangi principles, and the Waikato River settlement framework, including Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, which seeks “to restore and protect the physical, spiritual, and ecological health of the Waikato River from the mountains to the sea”.

Governance includes a formal co-governance forum – the nine-member IAWAI Forum, comprising three representatives each from Hamilton City Council, Waikato District Council, and Waikato-Tainui – which appoints a board of directors to oversee strategy, investment, and operations.

For more information, see:

IAWAI Flowing Waters – Water Services Strategy

Hamilton City Council Governance

Hawke’s Bay

In the Hawke’s Bay, Hastings District Council, the Napier City Council, and the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council are progressing a jointly owned Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO), expected to begin operations in 2027. Responsibility for water assets, service delivery, and investment decisions will transfer to this new entity, which will be governed by an independent board appointed on behalf of the shareholding councils.

The governance framework will include shareholder oversight arrangements and provision for iwi/hapū participation in decision-making processes, although the extent of that involvement is not yet clear.

A shareholders’ representative forum will function as a coordination and advisory body to bring together the views of the three councils, with Hastings District Council voting to include an iwi representative from its area.

In the meantime, Hastings has initiated a joint forum to oversee the establishment of the new entity and the appointment of its board. Hastings three representatives are Mayor Wendy Schollum, Deputy Mayor Michael Fowler, and Mike Paku, Chair of the Heretaunga Takoto Noa Māori standing committee.*

*The Heretaunga Takoto Noa Māori Standing Committee was established by the Hastings Council to continue the development of strategic and sustainable relationships with Māori.

Further information

Water Services Delivery Plan
Agenda: HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, 2 April 2026
Hastings District Council: Step forward for regional water services organisation

Media coverage

Hawkes Bay Today: Hastings councillors clash over mana whenua seat on new water forum

Act now!

Contact the prime minister and Local Government Minister Simon Watts, to remind them of their commitment to remove co-governance from public services.

Email: S.Watts@ministers.govt.nz

Prime Minister: C.Luxon@ministers.govt.nz.

Talk to your local representatives.

Changes to water services are happening region by region—and often with little public visibility. New entities may already be proposed or underway in your area, so it’s important to stay alert and informed.

Look out for what’s happening in your region:

Check your local council website for water reform proposals, consultations, or new entities being established
Follow council agendas and announcements to see when water services are being discussed
Stay informed about how these new organisations will operate and who makes the decisions

Then take action:

Contact your local councillors and ask how these new structures remain accountable to residents
Attend (or watch) council meetings and raise questions during public forums
Talk to others – friends, neighbours, and community groups – most people are unaware that these changes could be underway in their area
Encourage others to get involved and share information
Consider setting up a simple email list or Facebook group to keep your community informed

The earlier communities engage, the more influence we have over how these changes unfold.

This article was originally published by No Minister.