Wairarapa Tararua’s new water organisation has been officially launched with the announcement of its Board and company name, Waitī Waters, at an event in Masterton.
Waitī Waters is overseen by a stakeholder forum made up of representatives from each of the four shareholding Councils and two iwi – Masterton District Council, Carterton District Council, South Wairarapa District Council and Tararua District Council and Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu.
Chair of the Stakeholders’ Forum, Craig Bowyer, said the event represented a new beginning for the organisation and recognition of the hard work that has been done by Councils on water reform options over a number of years.
“This change will deliver benefits for the Wairarapa and Tararua communities through more sustainable water services, greater access to finance to support necessary infrastructure investment, and the establishment of a large new infrastructure employer in the region,” Mr Bowyer says.
Councils and iwi partners, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu, announced the new company’s board of directors, led by Adrienne Young-Cooper as the inaugural chair. Board members Clive Rundle, Jo Hayes, Maria Robertson and Sir Paul Collins have joined Ms Young-Cooper to oversee the new entity.
The Board was appointed by the Stakeholders’ Forum (the representative body of the four shareholding Councils and iwi partners) with the Forum thrilled by the calibre of Directors the opportunity attracted, who between them bring extensive experience in infrastructure, public sector and water industry governance, commercial and financial capability plus strong connections to the region and its wider communities.
Chair Young-Cooper says in its Local Water Done Well reforms, the government gave communities the choice about the future of their water services. Wairarapa Tararua’s commitment to a regional approach is significant and is important to recognise.
“Collaboration has been key to getting us to today – I thank our four Councils and iwi partners for their work in this space over the past few years. It is through them choosing to work together on a regional basis that we now have this plan, and this new entity, in place,” she said.
Waitī Waters was named in consultation with mana whenua, with Waitī representing the Matariki star associated with freshwater and the importance of freshwater for supporting life and wellbeing. The name also represents the partnership Councils, and the new company have with the region’s iwi and the commitment to continuing to work together.
Moving forward, the Waitī Waters Board will now work together alongside Councils to establish the new organisation over the next 15 months and transition across Council water services, before it begins operations from 1 July 2027. The transition plan for the next 15 months is set out in the four Councils’ Water Services Delivery Plans submitted to the government last year.
