45199 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

Written Question

Published date: 02 Oct 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	45199 (2025)
Question asked:	17 Sep 2025
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Local Government
Minister replying:	Hon Simon Watts
Answer received:	28 Sep 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_45199_2025
Document guid:	3b5c84e7-60f5-4aa7-a4d2-9aea5ceafcf5

45199 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: Further to his reply to Question 43546 (2025), does his reply mean that ratepayer affordability is not something his officials are considering when reviewing water services delivery plans and if so, how, if at all, will he ensure that his Local Water Done Well programme will not make water rates unaffordable for people?

Hon Simon Watts: 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.