14590 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

14590 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What reports, if any, has the Minister received on the risks of limiting revenue increases for Watercare, particularly regarding maintenance backlogs or emergency response funding?

Hon Simon Watts: The risk of limiting revenue increases through the Charter were considered throughout its policy development. The revenue caps in the Charter have been designed to provide for adequate levels of expenditure on maintenance and renewals. In the case of an emergency response, any Crown contributions repair or rebuild essential infrastructure under the Civil Defence Emergency Management 60/40 framework would not be considered as part of the revenue limits. Watercare’s contribution and insurance costs has been baked into the financial modelling that underpins the revenue limits. In the event of a major unforeseeable disruption to Watercare’s network that could have significant and unavoidable impacts on Watercare’s costs and revenues, Watercare can apply for an amendment to the Charter.