43548 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

43548 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What aspects of the Stratford District Council’s Water Service Delivery plan raised concerns that the council’s plan to go-it-alone may not be satisfactory and what additional information, if any, have officials requested?

Hon Simon Watts: I am advised the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) did not receive a draft water services delivery plan from Stratford District Council (Council). The Department was aware the Council had resolved to pursue an in-house business unit model, exiting the Taranaki regional grouping. Through analysis of the Council’s long-term plan, the Department had concerns the Council would face significant barriers to achieving financial sustainability through a standalone model and would be significantly better placed in a regional grouping. I refer the member to my reply to written parliamentary question 43547 (2025)