Our Water Our Way – Local Water Done Well
Feedback is now open on a way forward for the district’s water services.
Under the Local Water Done Well legislation, all councils around New Zealand have been tasked by the current Government to consider how they can best provide water services in the future, by joining up with others or on their own. Regardless of what service delivery model is chosen, councils will need to meet new economic, environmental, and water quality regulatory requirements.
We have investigated several options and evaluated three water service delivery models in more detail to determine how well they align with Kaipara District Council’s goals for providing water services, and to ensure they comply with the Local Water Done Well reform.
NOTE: The Our Water Our Way, Local Water Done Well consultation documents were initially uploaded on 7 April 2025. The documents originally stated on page 6 that water service assets make up 54% of KDC’s assets. The correct figure is 18% and the documents were updated on 15 April 2025 to reflect this.
- Read Our Water Our Way, Local Water Done Well consultation document (pdf 3mb)
- Read Our Water Our Way, Local Water Done Well consultation document bilingual component version (pdf 3mb)
- Read Martin Jenkins Report Summary (pdf 7mb)
Have your say
- Make a submission online (this is the easiest way)
- Print off a submission form
You can email your submission form to haveyoursay@kaipara.govt.nz pr drop it off at our council offices or Mangawhai or Dargaville library, or post to:
Local Water Done Well feedback
Kaipara District Council
Private Bag 1001
Dargaville 0340
You can make a submission on how we deliver water services in the future from Monday 7 April 2025 until 11.59pm on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
Face to face events
You can visit us at one of our drop-in session to discuss and fill out a submission form. We’ll be at:
- Dargaville council office Monday 14 April 2pm to 7pm
- Dargaville Museum Monday 14 April 10am to 12pm
- Mangawhai Museum Monday 14 April 12pm to 2pm
- Mangawhai council office (Pahi room) Wednesday 23 April 10.00am to 4pm
- Kauri Museum Thursday 24 April 2pm to 4.30pm
Key dates
- 7 April through to 7 May 2025 - Community consultation
- May - Deliberations and Hearings
- June to September - Water Services Delivery Plan preparation
- September - Water Services Delivery Plan submitted to Government
What is Local Water Done Well?
Local Water Done Well (LWDW) is new legislation introduced from central government aimed at addressing New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges. It paves the way for services and assets to be retained by council while offering new options for delivering water services and funding water infrastructure.
There are three key components of Local Water Done Well:
• Fit-for-purpose service delivery models and financing tools
• Ensuring water services are future-proofed and financially sustainable
• Introducing greater central government oversight, economic and quality regulation
All councils have been tasked by the Government to consider how they can best provide water services in the future, whether it is on their own, or joining up with others to create scale that can drive efficiencies. Regardless of what service delivery model councils choose, meeting new economic, environmental, and water quality regulatory requirements is a bottom line for the Government. You can read the legislation at: www.dia.govt.nz/Water-Services-Policy-legislation-and-process
What is a Water Service Delivery Plan?
Water Services Delivery plans are a way for councils to demonstrate their commitment to deliver water services that meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and that are financially sustainable. As part of Local Water Done Well, councils across New Zealand must provide an assessment of their water infrastructure, how much they need to invest, and how they plan to finance and deliver it through their preferred water service delivery model. Councils must submit their Water Services Delivery Plan to the Secretary for Local Government by September 2025.
More information about what is required to be included in the plan can be found at: www.dia.govt.nz/Water-Services-Policy-and-Legislation
Will the legislation affect the water service you receive?
No, your water services will not be affected. We will continue to provide quality services to residents and ratepayers as we look to explore the best service delivery model for the future of our community. This potentially includes working with one or more neighbouring councils. Our focus is to ensure residents continue to receive quality and value in their water services.
