​Ōpōtiki District Council votes to keep water services in house

On 26 June 2025, Ōpōtiki District Council voted to keep council three water services in house while they consider other options over the coming years.

Local Water Done Well is the coalition government’s plan to address New Zealand's long-standing water infrastructure challenges. The changes require all councils to consult on at least two options for the future of their water services.

Following lengthy workshops and discussion, council consulted with the community on whether to jump directly into a Joint Water Service Organisation, or to keep the water service as an internal business unit.

Council’s Chief Executive, Stace Lewer, said that council voted to keep water services delivery in house as a separate business unit.

“I want to acknowledge the community input and engagement in that process. It did require quite a lot of time across a fairly complex topic to research and provide thoughtful commentary on. Especially as we have asked our community for feedback on this topic twice in as many years. Some people came and talked to us in person and certainly delved deeply into this topic, so I really appreciate those who took the time to do that.

“As councillors have mentioned a few times in meetings, Ōpōtiki is fortunate to be in the position we are regarding our water infrastructure. Many years of prudent management have positioned us well in terms of the state of our assets and debt.

“The enhanced business unit [in-house model] isn’t status quo – it means keeping the water services quite separate, ring-fenced with financial separation. So it will be some change for us, but it means we can continue to provide our communities with good water facilities here locally.

“It also means we have the time and space to explore a Joint Water Service Organisation alongside other Eastern Bay councils and Rotorua Lakes Council over the next two or three years. It means we meet legislative requirements but haven’t painted ourselves into a corner. And it gives us time and space to find the best outcomes for our communities,” Mr Lewer said.

The documentation and options presented to the public during consultation were clear that under either scenario, the cost to ratepayers would rise significantly due to both new financial compliance rules and higher water standards from water regulator Taumata Arowai.

“There is no avoiding these rising costs, here in Ōpōtiki or nationally. The discussion is much more around how we share those costs the most fairly and how we phase those increases,” Mr Lewer said.

Following this decision from council, a Water Services Delivery Plan will be developed by council and come back to council for approval in August 2025. It must be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September.

Mr Lewer noted that through this process there was still some uncertainty such as the approval of the Water Services Delivery Plan by the Department of Internal Affairs, and changes to the legislative frame that may impact the council’s preferred model.

“While this is a milestone, there is still work to be done and more steps to be taken. But it is good to have a clear direction and way forward for our community,” Mr Lewer said.