Canterbury councils look to local solutions for water reforms

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

From left: Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, Manawatū mayor Helen Warboys and Whangārei mayor Vince Cocurullo give their thumbs to the repeal of Three Waters legislation last week. Photo: Supplied / Waimakariri District Council

North Canterbury mayors are seeking a local solution after the government abolished the controversial Three Waters legislation.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said retaining local ownership has always been the goal, while exploring options to work with neighbouring councils.

The government repealed the Three Waters legislation last week under urgency as it moves to roll out new Local Water Done Well legislation by mid-2025.

"At this stage, we're celebrating Three Waters remaining in community ownership ahead of the new bill being introduced to Parliament later this year," Gordon said.

"If the legislation mirrors the policy direction signalled by the government, it provides councils options to either go it alone or work together in a council-controlled organisation or similar model.

"We will be having informal discussions along these lines with our local government neighbours while this takes place, but essentially we will be waiting to see what the legislation says."

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon. Photo: North Canterbury News / David Hill via LDR

Under the former government, 10 large independent entities would have been set up to manage drinking, waste, and stormwater services, with the aim of improving water infrastructure.

The new government plans to set up an advisory board to work on the replacement legislation, which would allow councils to voluntarily form their own groupings and council-controlled organisations.

Gordon said the new policy mirrored the model put forward by Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD), which represents around 30 councils and campaigned against Three Water reforms.

He said no decision would be made without consulting with the community, which is likely to take place later this year.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black. Photo: Supplied / Hurunui District Council

The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura district councils were all C4LD members.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black said the Canterbury Mayoral Forum had been advocating for a regional approach to managing Three Waters for several years.

"It was a proposal the Canterbury councils put to the previous government early in the piece, but it was rejected.

"We see it as the best outcome to achieve the scope and scale needed."

Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle Photo: Supplied / Kaikōura District Council

Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said the repeal of the legislation was an opportunity ''to start again''.

"We have a lot of work to do and the mayors need to get together to work out what is best for our communities and our region."

Mackle and Black said there was already ''a synergy between Kaikōura and Hurunui'', with a number of shared services already in place including IT services, Civil Defence and building staff.

And there was a ''pretty tight network'' across the three North Canterbury councils, including Waimakariri, they said.

The Waimakariri District Council also has a close relationship with its Greater Christchurch partners, the Christchurch City Council and the Selwyn District Council.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.