Waikato Waters has celebrated its upcoming transition from establishment to operations on 1 July, when it will begin delivering water and wastewater services across several Waikato districts.
The milestone was celebrated at an event held at the new Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant today, attended by Local Government Minister, Simon Watts, shareholder Mayors, iwi, and Council and Waikato Waters staff.
Waikato Waters is a council-controlled organisation jointly owned by Hauraki, Matamata Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā and Waitomo district councils. Once all councils have transitioned, it will serve around 170,000 people across communities stretching from coast to coast, from Marokopa to Whiritoa.
Minister Watts says Waikato Waters is one of the first council-controlled organisations established under the Government’s Local Water Done Well programme.
“I acknowledge the leadership and commitment of all those involved in establishing Waikato Waters and delivering Local Water Done Well in the Waikato,” he said.
“For the past two years, we have been focused on fixing the basics. We knew the status quo in delivering water services was not an option, but we also knew communities wanted to retain ownership of their water assets.
“Local Water Done Well is delivering the investment needed to address New Zealand’s water infrastructure challenges, while giving councils the tools to make decisions that work for their communities.
“The establishment of Waikato Waters marks a significant milestone in water reform, bringing together six councils. It will help deliver more efficient investment in water infrastructure, improve long-term financial sustainability, and reduce pressure on ratepayers.
“It is great to see councils working together in partnership to deliver reliable and financially sustainable water services for their communities.”
Hauraki District Mayor, Toby Adams, speaking on behalf of the six shareholder councils, says the decision reflects a shared commitment to communities across the region.
“Our six councils have made a deliberate choice to work together on water services because we can achieve more collectively than we can individually,” Mayor Adams says.
“We face the same challenges. Our infrastructure is ageing, costs are rising, and our communities are growing and expecting more. Working together gives us far greater opportunity to tackle those challenges in a way that is both practical and sustainable. It allows us to invest in more modern infrastructure, share expertise and resources, and deliver services more efficiently that any one council could on its own.
“At the heart of this decision are our communities. By working collectively, we can provide more cost effective, resilient and future focused water services that support growth, protect our waterways and deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank the many staff across our councils who have contributed to establishing Waikato Waters. This has taken an enormous amount of hard work and commitment alongside their day-to-day responsibilities. Their efforts have been critical in getting us to this point and they have earned our sincere thanks.”
Waikato Waters chair, Elena Trout says the organisation is ready to move into its next phase.
“Today marks a significant moment for Waikato Waters.
“We are moving from establishment into operations – from building the organisation to delivering services for our communities.
“A lot of work has gone into getting us here. We’ve brought together people, systems and plans from across six councils, and laid strong foundations for the future.
“Our focus now is on making that transition as smooth as possible – for our communities and for our staff.
“For most customers, the experience will remain largely the same in our first year. People will continue to pay for water services through their council, and contact them if there’s an issue, such as a leak.
“Behind the scenes, however, there is a lot underway. Our immediate focus is on understanding how our treatment plants, networks and assets are performing.
“We’re taking a deliberate approach – understand first, then act. That will guide how we prioritise maintenance, renewals and investment, and shape our first Water Services Strategy in the year ahead.
“Over time, you’ll see changes, including the development of our own customer services and direct billing. But for now, our priority is to get the fundamentals right.
“Because our vision is clear: te mana o te wai, te mana o te tangata – healthy water, healthy people.”
The company will also seek to build and strengthen meaningful relationships with the iwi and hapū who hold mana whenua and mana moana responsibilities across its area of operation.
“These relationships are fundamental to recognising Te Tiriti partnerships, understanding local mātauranga and values, and ensuring that water management decisions reflect the aspirations and responsibilities of tangata whenua throughout the region,” says Trout.
The transition to operations is progressive, beginning on 1 July 2026 with South Waikato, Waipā and Waitomo district councils. Matamata-Piako District Council will transition on 1 October, and the remaining two district councils – Hauraki and Ōtorohanga – on 1 July 2027.
Waikato Waters will ultimately manage more than $1.4 billion in assets and deliver a long-term investment programme exceeding $3 billion.
