Masterton, Carterton, Tararua, and South Wairarapa District Councils have had their Water Services Delivery Plans approved by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
These plans outline the Councils’ intention to establish a new regional water organisation to deliver water services to their communities.
With the DIA approval achieved, Councils are required under the water legislation to move forward together to implement the plan, establish the new company, and prepare for the operational transition of water services from Councils.
The company will be operational from 1 July 2027. Until that date, water services will continue to be delivered by Councils under current arrangements.
The Councils recently approved the new company’s Constitution and Shareholders’ Agreement and the search for company Directors will now get underway, with appointments planned for March next year.
The approval of the Water Services Delivery Plans provides confidence in the Councils’ intentions to establish a new regional organisation to deliver critical water services for their communities into the future.
The benefits of a new regional organisation include:
- more affordable and resilient water services for communities,
- increased access to finance to enable delivery of necessary investment programmes,
- operational efficiency and cost savings resulting from a single entity planning, contracting and delivering works across the region, and
- regional employment opportunities from a larger, locally based infrastructure provider.
The assessment of the plans was undertaken by a panel of senior representatives from the Local Government Funding Authority, National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited, Commerce Commission, Water Services Authority, and the Department of Internal Affairs. It was overseen by an independent external observer.
The panel assessed the plans against all legislative, financial and technical requirements and has confirmed the Councils’ plans for the new water organisation meet these requirements.
More information
Visit the Council websites and Department of Internal Affairs for their Plans:
- South Wairarapa District Council
- Masterton District Council
- Tararua District Council
- Department of Internal Affairs
Water Service Plan documents
| Title | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wairarapa-Tararua Water Services Delivery Plan Consolidated Financial Statements | 5 November 2025 | |
| Carterton District Council Water Services Delivery Plan | 5 November 2025 | |
| Carterton District Council Water Services Delivery Plan Financial Statements | 5 November 2025 | |
| Wairarapa Tararua Commitment Agreement | 5 November 2025 |