Skip to main content
Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport

Search

Popular search topics
What we do Consultations about the Environment Consultations about Transport RMA (planning system) reform Fuel supply status Road user charges Time of Use (congestion charging) The Housing dashboard Local government Request official information

Menu

  • About MCERT
  • Our work
  • News
  • Publications
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Our work
  4. /
  5. Local government
  6. /
  7. Water services
  8. /
  9. Local Water Done Well

Water services

Water services delivery plans

Templates and guidance

Water services delivery system

Local Water Done Well

Local Water Done Well legislation

Information and guidance for councils

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 service delivery models and financing tools
  • Ensuring water services are financially sustainable
  • Introducing greater central government oversight, economic and quality regulation. 

Local Water Done Well legislation

Information about the three stages to implement Local Water Done Well.

Water services delivery plans

Guidance and information for councils about developing water services delivery plans.

Future water services delivery system

Information about New Zealand’s future water services delivery system under Local Water Done Well.

Information and guidance for councils

Information, templates and guidance for councils to inform future water services delivery arrangements.

Previous water services policy and content

Information about the previous Government’s water services policy and legislation is accessible here:

Archived Water Services Reform Programme information (Department of Internal Affairs website)

Contact us

If you have any queries, please email: waterservices@mcert.govt.nz

Water services

Water services delivery plans

Templates and guidance

Water services delivery system

Local Water Done Well

Local Water Done Well legislation

Information and guidance for councils

Helping New Zealand make better decisions about the places we live, move, build, grow and protect.

About MCERT

  • What we do
  • Leadership
  • Careers

Our work

  • Transport and travel (opens in a new tab)
  • Environment (opens in a new tab)
  • Homes and cities (opens in a new tab)
  • Local government

Contact

  • 0800 499 700
  • enquiries@mcert.govt.nz

Footer minor links

  • Privacy statements
  • Copyright
  • Social media community guidelines
© 2026 Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport