43581 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

43581 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: How many councils’ Water Service Delivery Plans, if any, indicate an intention or conditional provision to amalgamate water services with neighbouring councils in future years?

Hon Simon Watts: The Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) is in the process of reviewing all water services delivery plans (plans) that have not already been accepted by the Secretary for Local Government. At this stage, the Department cannot provide the number of councils indicating an intent or conditional provision to consolidate. Consolidation is not a component of the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024. The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 enables ongoing consolidation to realise additional benefits, but those decisions will remain with councils. Of the plans accepted to date, Selwyn District Council (single council council-controlled organisation) and Waimakariri District Council (in-house business unit) have both expressed openness to working with neighbouring councils in the future.