Priyanca Radhakrishnan
Auckland, April 15, 2023
The government has listened to the feedback from our people and recently announced major changes to our affordable water reforms, to deliver big cost savings to Maungakiekie households while also making sure that the work is now led and delivered at a regional level.
Every New Zealander deserves safe, reliable and affordable water services that keep families and our environment healthy. But after years of neglect, our water services – our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks – are facing a crisis.
Kicking the can down the road and choosing not to address our national water infrastructure comes at a cost to Maungakiekie families. We know that, without reform, households will face rates rising by over $4000 to $9000 per year in the future.
Reducing public burden
As a government, we are not prepared to put extra costs on Kiwis during a global cost of living crisis. That is why we have taken another look at our water reform programme and recently announced a pragmatic solution as the way forward.
Our affordable water reforms will fix New Zealand’s water infrastructure and make sure that households do not foot the bill through huge rate increases.
It is a plan that will save families thousands of dollars, with projected savings of around $2770 for households in Auckland and Northland.
There has been a lot of feedback on our plan and we have heard it loud and clear.
The reforms need to save households from ballooning costs while also being more locally led. Our changes seek to strike that balance.
That is why we have extended the number of publicly owned water entities from four to ten.
That means every Council, and therefore every community, will now have a say over their local water services entities. By setting up more water entities, we are making sure that the needs of every community, including small rural towns, are heard and met.
Striking the balance
These water entities will be publicly owned, and regionally led by industry professionals who will be appointed by local representatives.
These are once-in-a-generation reforms and it is so important that we strike the right balance. Our plan strengthens the links between the water entities and the local communities they serve, while also making sure that New Zealanders, no matter where they live, can access safe, reliable and affordable drinking water now, and into the future.
If you want to find out more, please visit www.waterservicesreform.govt.nz
Priyanca Radhakrishnan is Member of Parliament elected from Maungakiekie in Auckland.
