Northland to establish new cross-council water organisation
Water reforms update: We're teaming up with Kaipara District Council and Far North District Council to deliver drinking water and wastewater services in Northland, starting July 2027, through a new Council Controlled Organisation (CCO).
Our General Manager for Waters, Andrew Carvell, says that working together with a CCO offers long-term benefits and the strongest path forward for the Northland region. “The new CCO will help ensure all of Northland can meet the increased compliance requirements under the new Local Water Done Well Central Government legislation, and address growth in the region.”
A major focus for the 'Local Water Done Well' Working Group has been to design a financial model that recognises the different starting points of each council in terms of water assets, debt levels and infrastructure investment needs.
“Councils have agreed to a model that will see financials ring-fenced for each district and have varying water charges to start with,” says Mr Carvell.
“Whangārei District carries comparatively little debt on its water activities, so we are exploring options to transfer debt from Whangarei District Council budgeted activities to the CCO. This would significantly reduce Whangarei District Council’s overall debt levels and ensure that CCO balance sheets are better aligned with the other councils from day one.”
All three councils are now working together to prepare a water services delivery plan, which must be submitted to Central Government by 3 September 2025. Once formed, the CCO will prioritise the critical issues for each district and review its approach to finances and water charges within the first three years.
Media release: www.wdc.govt.nz...
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
-
9.6% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
-
43.2% I want to be able to choose.
-
47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Loading…
