Kia ora koutou. Water is a high priority for Napier. It’s not just at the top of the work programme but an integral part of our geography, our sense of place, and the love we have for our region. Issues we have been working hard to resolve, growth we are planning for, weather events that affect our systems and networks: water is always top of mind for us at Council. At the moment, we are being asked by Government to consider their proposal for how our water should be managed in the future. Three Waters Reform has been on the table for a few years and now the Government has prepared a proposal and given us until the end of September to consider its merits and downfalls, and whether it is right for our community. There is no doubt that there is a case for change and that the status quo is not an option for future water services management. Changes to the regulatory environment, growing infrastructure costs, future population and industry growth, and climate change all mean the way we run water services now will not get the job done in the future. What is important is what the new water services entity will look like. Retaining a strong local voice in decision making around water services is important and under the current proposal this may be challenging. Keeping costs affordable for our community is also essential. Finding that balance between control and costs is a key focus of our Council as we feed back on the Government’s proposal. We are working closely with Hawke’s Bay’s other Councils and with mana whenua to put together our responses to Government, clearly outlining what is important to our community. It is also vital we hear from you about what is important to you in the future delivery of water services to our community.
Mayor Kirsten Wise
three w ate rs ref orm The Government is considering changes to the regulation and delivery of the country’s ‘three waters’ services: drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
It has proposed four regional water entities to replace the work currently done by Aotearoa New Zealand’s 67 councils. At the moment, the vast majority of three waters assets and services in the country are owned and delivered by local councils and paid for through rates.
three w ate rs
The reason for change is two-fold. It is about achieving higher regulatory standards and minimising the costs to households. The Government’s proposal is to create four new entities to look after Three Waters to achieve ‘economy of scale’: spreading the increasing costs over many people. The proposed structure will require more skilled people in the water services workforce with potentially several thousand new jobs created nationally. To help with transition costs and community initiatives around wellbeing, Napier City Council will be allocated close to $26 million from Government through Three Waters Reform. The Government has given councils until 30 September 2021 to analyse the proposal and feed back to them. The proposal suggests boundaries for the four entities. Napier is included in Entity C, along with the rest of Hawke’s Bay, the East Coast through to Wellington, as well as the top of the South Island. This area covers close to 1 million people and 21 councils. Hawke’s Bay’s councils have collectively discussed the impacts of becoming part of Entity C and are investigating options around boundaries.
What’s important to you in the future delivery of Napier’s water services? Visit sayitnapier.nz to have your say