What's next

With its reset in April 2023, the Government has confirmed its "all in" approach to the Three Waters Reform. This will see the establishment of 10 publicly owned water service entities.

Kāpiti will be part of Water Services Entity G. Our job now is to ensure that our community’s needs continue to be prioritised and met in the face of climate change and unprecedented growth.

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Water Services Entities Bill

In late 2022, Government passed their Water Services Entities Bill, which mandates transferring the current 67 council-owned and operated three waters infrastructure and local delivery into four new publicly owned Water Services Entities.

In April 2023, the number of Water Services Entities was proposed to increase to 10 during a Water Services Reform reset. The establishment date of the entities has also changed with a staggered approach from early 2025 to 1 July 2026, rather than the original start date of 1 July 2024.

Legislation changes to give effect to the Government’s Water Services Reform reset, including the Water Services Entities Act, the Water Services Legislation Bill, and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill were granted Royal Assent by Parliament in August 2023. The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill establishes the Commerce Commission to oversee the economic regulation and consumer protection regime for the water entities and this will ensure consumers directly benefit from these reforms and the delivery of affordable and high-quality water services.

The Water Services Legislation Bill sets out the duties, functions and powers of the new water services entities, which are set to begin operation no later than 2026.

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Three water upgrades and planning

We're advancing significant projects to deliver improved environmental outcomes and build capacity across our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks. $26.9 million was allocated in our 2022/23 Annual Plan to support drinking water safety upgrades, improve our wastewater treatment infrastructure and address flood risks in our district.

There are several reasons why we’re pushing ahead with this critical work. We have traditionally invested heavily in our water management, security and infrastructure. This is a strategy that has served our community well. With our growing population and in the face of our changing climate, delaying or canceling work is kicking the can down the road. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our community which means we can’t lose years’ worth of work, especially as we don’t know how much of a priority Kāpiti infrastructure will be for the new entity or when it will be established.

There are also new and evolving standards we must continue to meet as a water supplier to remain compliant with Taumata Arowai, the new water services regulator for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Continuing to plan for the future through projects such as our Stormwater Management Framework and upgrade of the Waikanae Water Treatment Plant is our way of committing to and protecting the vision and aspirations of iwi and our community before we lose our ability to do so.

We expect Government will reimburse us appropriately for all debt relating to investment in water assets, including any incurred between now and the transition on period.

See our funding page for more information.