The Government has put forward legislation for New Zealand’s three water services – drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, to be managed by publicly owned water entities, replacing the services currently managed by 67 councils.
On 13 April 2023, the Government announced changes to the Three Waters Reform Programme, which will now be known as the Affordable Water Reforms. You can read the Minister’s statement on the changes to the reforms on the Water Services Reform website.
Water Services Reform Programme website
The Water Services Reform Programme website is the central hub for information on the reform and transition. It also aims to facilitate engagement by Councils and other stakeholders with water services reform transition activity.
Water Services Entities Act 2022
The Water Services Entities Act 2022 establishes the new entities for water services
Read the Water Services Entities Act 2022
See our submission on the Water Services Entities Bill (467KB PDF)
Water Services Legislation Bill
This omnibus bill is the second bill in a suite of legislation to reform water services delivery in New Zealand. The single broad policy for this bill is to establish and empower water services entities by setting out their functions, powers, obligations, and oversight arrangements.
Read the Water Services Legislation Bill
Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill
The purpose of this bill is to provide for the regulation of the price and quality of water infrastructure services, and consumer protection for water infrastructure services.
Read the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bil
See our combined submission on both Water Services Legislation Bill and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill (6.96MB PDF)