55806 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government

Written Question

Published date: 15 Dec 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	55806 (2025)
Question asked:	01 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Local Government
Minister replying:	Hon Simon Watts
Answer received:	09 Dec 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_55806_2025
Document guid:	eb558962-908f-4fd7-9acf-790902207fd9

55806 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Local Government: What is the rationale for excluding water charges from the rates cap, and has the Government assessed the risk that councils may shift cost pressures from rates to water charges as a result of this exclusion?

Hon Simon Watts: Water charges are excluded from the rates cap because they are already subject to economic regulation. This regulation will stop councils shifting cost pressures from rates to water charges.