Local communities across the country are set to benefit from the completion of the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation, which will enable safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services.

Key metrics published today show how much councils are spending and what they are spending it on, which has a direct impact on your rates, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.

Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have delivered the first multi council water services delivery plan, an achievement that will be welcomed by all ratepayers.

The Government’s plan to refocus councils on core services, such as roading, core infrastructure, water, and rubbish, has taken a major step forward with the introduction of the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill to Parliament.

Selwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers.

The Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals (CRDs) as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders.

Budget 2025 will help up to 66,000 more SuperGold Cardholders with their rates payments, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Seniors Minister Casey Costello announced today.

The Government is accelerating Local Water Done Well for the Wellington region to provide greater transparency at Wellington Water and ensure it is delivering value for money for ratepayers.

Increases in water charges for Auckland consumers this year will be halved under the Watercare Charter which has now been passed into law.

The Government’s City and Regional Deals initiative has received a great response from regions across New Zealand, and is now into the assessment stage to determine which regions will be the first to progress towards a deal, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Infrastructure Minister

New and improved infrastructure funding and financing tools will help get more houses built and address New Zealand’s housing crisis, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say.

Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well.

The Government has agreed to reforms that refocus local councils on delivering essential services and core infrastructure, spending responsibly, and operating under greater scrutiny.

The Government has approved the Watercare Charter to keep Auckland’s water services affordable, saving households about $899 million over four years while ensuring improved service quality and record infrastructure investment.

Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.  

The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.

Experienced local government practitioner Lindsay McKenzie has been appointed as a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has today announced his intention to appoint a Crown Observer to Wellington City Council.

The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today.

Minister of Local Government Simeon Brown has announced new appointments to the Board of the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority), including a new chair, and has reappointed two members of the Authority’s Māori Advisory Group for a further three-year term.