Water New Zealand Strategic Pillars
July 2025
Workforce
Lifting sector capability and capacity
Capacity
• Lift awareness of water as a career choice through development of career videos, in-school water focussed activities, events at universities
• Use training courses to promote sector to a wide cross section of potential learners/workers
Capability
• Develop digital training to raise sector awareness of Mātauranga Māori
• Complete Work Based Learning engagement plan to inform decisions on training
• Ensure learners are supported throughout VET reform process
• Develop sector’s preferred authorisation construct to inform DIA and Taumata Arowai
Advice & Advocacy
A “seat at the table” as the provider of trusted apolitical technical advice
• Support the Local Water Done Well reforms – across development of regulatory framework, implementation and delivery phases
• Maintain and enhance the Association’s role as a reliable source of advice
• Develop best practice technical guides and focus SIG work programmes on working towards Transformation 2050
• Submissions on legislative and regulatory policies, rules, standards and plans are technical, apolitical, and evidence based
• Advice highlights then, integrates Mātauranga Māori knowledge and water services practices
• Identify gaps, and proactively develop technical input into regulatory regime
• Develop commentaries on information disclosed by water services providers
Transformation 2050
Healthy water is our why
• Water as a Taonga: The health of water is put first, and its management informed by indigenous understanding.
• Smart Buyer: Productive, progressive, inclusive and sustainable climate-resilient procurement and delivery
• Planning and Standards: Co-ordinated and consistent national policies facilitate locally led service delivery
• Digitally Enabled: Trusted data and digital analytics enhance customer value
• Environment and Climate: Healthy waters sustain ecosystems, enrich environments, and underpin community and business wellbeing
• People and Community: Communities are active participants in water management with safe, equitable and affordable water services for all
• Workforce and Education: Lifting sector capability and capacity
Events
The must attend events programme
• Connect – bringing members together SIG and Water NZ regional meetings
• Engage – share knowledge and industry insights with members (webinars and podcasts, journal)
• Inform – Large scale – Water and Stormwater conference programmes (via thought leadership, technical and workshops)
• Use appropriate tikanga for events
• Innovate - Conference exhibition provides opportunities for suppliers and clients to share innovations
• Reenforce steps required for Transformation 2050
Relationships
The water community you want to be a part of
• Understand and continue to meet our member’s needs
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with WSMG and WUA (or future equivalent) and new Water Service Providers
• Valued Award and Scholarship programme
• Collaborative engagement with Ministers, regulatory and government agencies (Taumata Arowai, Commerce Commission, Regional Councils, Infrastructure Commission, PCE)
• Respected by iwi leaders as integrators of Mātauranga Māori knowledge and water services practices
• Water Directory actively used and supported by suppliers