43550 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

43550 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What aspects of the Whakatāne 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 that the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) sent a letter to Whakatāne District Council (Council) noting its progress developing a water services delivery plan as an in-house business unit, and the implications of this decision on the financial sustainability of water services. Through analysis of Council’s long-term plan, the Department had concerns that the Council could face some barriers to achieving financial sustainability through a standalone model. I refer the member to my reply to written parliamentary question 43547 (2025)