Local Government

• Local councils ownership of water entities confirmed and new shareholding structure put in place

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the reappointment of four commissioners to the Tauranga City Council.

Councils are now able to apply for the first tranche of funding from the Three Waters Reform Package to invest in their local communities, Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has today announced her intention to appoint a Commission to the Tauranga City Council until July 2024.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today welcomed the independent Working Group report on the Three Waters Reform Programme.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the establishment of a working group made up of local government and iwi representatives to recommend strengthened governance and accountability arrangements for the Three Waters Reform Programme.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today confirmed the Government will create four publicly owned water entities to ensure every New Zealander has access to affordable, long-lasting drinking, waste and storm water infrastructure without ballooning costs to households and families.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today welcomed the interim report on the Future for Local Government Review. 

Today marks the final day of the two-month long engagement between the Government and local councils on the proposed reforms to New Zealand’s drinking, storm and waste water services.

The Government today passed legislation that will transform drinking water safety and improve environmental outcomes for our wastewater and stormwater networks.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Brendan Boyle as a Panel member of the Ministerial Review into the Future for Local Government.

The Government has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, strengthening the partnership to get more young people into work. 

The Government today announced a $2.5 billion package to support local government transition through the reforms to New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.

The Government is proposing to establish four publicly-owned entities to take responsibility of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure across New Zealand, saving ratepayers thousands of dollars and better ensuring the $120 to $185 billion investment in services can be made.

New analysis of New Zealand’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure provides New Zealanders with a clear picture of the urgent problems we face, and highlights the economic benefits we can unlock by tackling them says Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says an independent review of local government will explore how councils can maintain and improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders in the communities they serve long into the future.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has welcomed the Local Government (Rating of Whenua Māori) Amendment Bill passing its third reading today.

Major water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.

The Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill passed its third reading today and will become law, Minister of Local Government Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.

Local Government Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta has announced four commissioners to act in place of elected representatives at the Tauranga City Council.

The Government is supporting councils working to increase representation for Māori in local government by putting in place the same rules to establish Māori wards as general wards for the 2022 local elections.

The Minister of Local Government, Hon Nanaia Mahuta, has confirmed a Commission will be appointed to Tauranga City Council.