18111 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

18111 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What communications, if any, has the Minister received from, or sent to, mayors specifically regarding water infrastructure or water services since 1 January 2025?

Hon Simon Watts: As the Minister of Local Government, I have received and sent the below communications with mayors regarding water infrastructure and water services since 1 January 2025. These communications have included correspondence and meetings on matters such as: • Whakatāne – Compliance with water regulations and future water services delivery model – 23 January 2025 • Auckland – Gazetting of the Watercare Charter regulations – March 2025 • Waikato – Timing issues and support required for LTP audit process – 6 March 2025 • Multiple councils – Better Off funding and Local Water Done Well – 12 March 2025 • Multiple councils – Guidance for consultation on LTPs and related audit processes – 24 March 2025 • South Wairarapa – Guidance for consultation on LTPs and related audit processes – 24 March 2025 • Waipā – Guidance for consultation on LTPs and related audit processes – 24 March 2025 • Waikato – Wastewater capacity (infrastructure) – 28 March 2025 • Wellington metropolitan councils, South Wairarapa and the regional council – Applying foundational information disclosure to Wellington Water under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 – April 2025 • Whangārei, Far North and Kaipara– Future delivery of water services – 1 May 2025 • Buller, Westland and Grey – Local Water Done Well progress – 6 May 2025 • Manawatū – Future delivery of water services and infrastructure assessment – 13 January 2026 • Multiple councils – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Waimate – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Queenstown Lakes – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Chatham Islands – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Buller, Grey, Westland – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Multiple – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Selwyn – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Marlborough – Financial sustainability of water services – 21 May 2026 • Clutha – Future delivery of water services – 1 June 2025 • Whakatāne – Future delivery of water services – 28 May 2026 • Central Hawke’s Bay – Future delivery of water services – 8 July 2025 • South Wairarapa – Future delivery of water services – 29 July 2025 • Auckland – Infrastructure priorities – 25 July 2025 • Multiple – Multi council water services council controlled organisations – September 2025 • Wellington metropolitan councils and regional councils – Establishment of a multi council water services council controlled organisation -10 October 2025 • Southern councils – Establishment of a multi council water services council controlled organisation – 10 October 2025 • Northern councils – Establishment of a multi council water services council controlled organisation – 10 October 2025 • Waitaki – Water services delivery plan: appointment of Crown facilitator – 15 October 2025 • Whangārei – Northland Local Water Done Well establishment board – 3 February 2026 • Wellington – Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant - 9 February 2026 • Wellington – Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant -11 February 2026 • Tauranga – Establishment of a multi council council controlled organisation - 26 February 2026 • Wellington - Metropolitan councils and regional councils – Tiaki Wai draft water services strategy - 26 March 2026 • Tauranga - Establishment of a multi council council controlled organisation - 1 April 2026