Northland Water Done Well: New steering group to lead council organisation setup

Drinking and wastewater services are set to shift to the CCO from July 2027. Photo / FNDC

The Far North, Whangārei and Kaipara district councils have confirmed the formation of a new Elected Member Steering Group (EMSG) at recent council meetings.

The group will provide regional leadership for the establishment of Northland’s new water organisation.

The EMSG replaces the previous Elected Members Working Group following the Local Government Elections and will play a central role in creating the Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), which is intended to take over drinking and wastewater services from July 2027.

The CCO, being established under the working name, Northland Water Done Well, will help ensure the region meets increased compliance and legislative requirements under Local Water Done Well water reforms.

The EMSG is made up of two councillors and the mayor of each district, as well as an independent expert appointed by the EMSG in an advisory, non-voting capacity.

Elected members of the steering group include:

• Whangārei Mayor, Ken Couper (Chair)
• Far North Mayor, Moko Tepania
• Kaipara Mayor, Jonathan Larsen
• Far North District Councillor, Ann Court
• Far North District Councillor, John Vujcich
• Whangārei District Councillor, Deb Harding
• Whangārei District Councillor, Paul Yovich
• Kaipara District Councillor, Craig Jepson
• Kaipara District Councillor, Rachael Williams.

Whangārei mayor Ken Couper was elected as chair of the EMSG by his fellow EMSG members at the group’s first meeting on December 4, following standard Local Government Act procedures.

“The establishment of the EMSG marks an important milestone in our collaborative efforts.

“We remain committed to working together to ensure high-quality, sustainable water services for our communities, while looking after the interests of ratepayers,” said Couper.

The EMSG will oversee progress by the CCO’s establishment team, which includes staff from the three district councils.

While it has no decision-making capacity itself, it will endorse recommendations that are taken to each district council for decisions.

The CCO is expected to be incorporated by July 2026, at which point a Shareholder Council will be established to provide oversight of the CCO on behalf of each district.

The Shareholder Council will remain as part of the permanent governance structure of the CCO.