Governing our water well for the future – Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper

Twin Bridges, Nukutawhiti where the Mangakahia and Awarua Rivers meet.

Water is something most of us take for granted. We turn on the tap and expect clean drinking water.

We use facilities in our homes every day and trust that everything will work as it should.

But behind that everyday reliability sits years of planning, investment and the dedication of many people whose work often goes unseen.

Central government has instructed all local government across the country to implement its Local Water Done Well reforms.

As a result, district councils across Northland are working together to ensure our region is prepared for the challenges ahead.

In recent months, mayors and councillors from the three Northland districts have formed a steering group and have been progressing the work required of us.

This work has been steady and constructive, reflecting a genuine commitment to regional collaboration.

As a result, we are now on track to bring forward the planned incorporation of a regional water service (drinking water and wastewater) Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) from July 1 this year to May 1. This is a significant milestone.

The process we are following has commitment points that allow each council to confirm whether it is happy with the direction of the steering group.

Over the coming weeks, councils will consider their votes on the next step.

These votes ask councils to agree in principle to form a water services CCO and to consider the draft legal documents required to establish it.

A further vote will follow in April, when councils will decide whether to authorise the final agreements.

These decisions are not procedural. They determine whether we move forwards as a region with a shared approach to meeting our legal, financial and regulatory responsibilities for water services.

At its heart, this is about good governance and making responsible decisions that position Northland well for the future.

It is important our community understands exactly what a CCO is. It is a company owned by councils, with its own board and specialist governance structure.

In this case, the proposed Northland water CCO would be jointly owned by the Far North, Whangārei and Kaipara district councils.

By progressing Local Water Done Well as a region, we have the opportunity to lift all of Northland, says Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper.

Councils remain the shareholders and continue to set expectations and monitor performance, while the CCO focuses on service delivery and long-term planning. Being a CCO secures the combined water assets in public ownership.

Although Whangārei is performing strongly today, we know the pressures on water infrastructure will continue to grow. Regulatory standards are increasing. Construction costs are rising.

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Growth across our district is placing new demands on the network. These are challenges every council in New Zealand is facing.

This is why the upcoming votes matter. The pressures on water systems will not ease, and the expectations on councils are already shifting. Acting now allows us to shape a Northland solution, designed by Northland, for Northland to strengthen our capability and position us well for the future.

Just as importantly, this work is not only about Whangārei. By progressing Local Water Done Well as a region, we have the opportunity to lift all of Northland.

Local Water Done Well is about safeguarding a basic need that affects households, businesses and communities connected to council reticulated water services across Northland.

The approach our councils are taking, and the commitment we are showing as we move through this important stage together, sends a strong message to central Government.