45197 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

45197 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: Does he believe that water rates should be affordable for people and if so, what concerns, if any, does he have about the affordability of water rates resulting from his Local Water Done Well programme?

Hon Simon Watts: Yes. Affordability underpins Local Water Done Well. If Water services are not financially sustainable, ratepayers will pay more in the long term or continue to see underinvestment in water, as has been the case in many communities.