Website search is currently limited due to a technical issue. We're working to restore service and apologise for the inconvenience. For urgent information, please email enquiries@mcert.govt.nz.
Local Water Done Well
Learn about the legislation behind Local Water Done Well, including how the system has been introduced and the laws that guide water services in New Zealand.
Local Water Done Well is the Coalition Government’s plan to address New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges.
It recognises the importance of local decision making and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered in the future.
It will do this while ensuring a strong emphasis on meeting economic, environmental and water quality regulatory requirements.
Key components of Local Water Done Well
- Fit-for-purpose water services delivery models, financing tools, infrastructure management requirements, legislation and standards
- Effective and appropriate central oversight of water services with:
- Water services quality regulation by the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai; and
- economic regulation by the Commerce Commission.
- Transitional arrangements to support the move to new system settings and requirements including the development of water services delivery plans.
Information about councils' water services delivery plans.
Information and guidance for councils
Information, templates and guidance for councils to inform water services delivery arrangements.
Local Water Done Well legislation
Enduring settings for New Zealand’s water services system have been established through the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 and the associated The Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025.
Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025
The Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025
See our factsheets on key aspects of both Acts
Preliminary arrangements for the new system were made with the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.
The Act lays the foundation for a new approach to water services management and financially sustainable delivery models that meet regulatory standards.
Key areas included in the Act are:
- Requirements for councils to develop Water Services Delivery Plans
- Requirements that Plans outline future water services delivery arrangements, and that councils commit to an implementation plan
- Requirements for councils to include in their Plans baseline information about their water services operations, assets, revenue, expenditure, pricing, and projected capital expenditure, as well as necessary financing arrangements, as a first step towards future economic regulation.
In February 2024 the Government repealed the legislation introduced and passed by the previous Government relating to water services entities with the Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024.
Contact us
If you have any queries, please email: waterservices@mcert.govt.nz