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Water services delivery plans
Find information about water services delivery plans, including how councils assessed their water services, planned investment, demonstrated how they will deliver safe and sustainable services, and their progress in implementing plans.
Through the development of plans, councils provided an assessment of their water infrastructure, how much they need to invest, and how they plan to finance and deliver it through their preferred water service delivery model.
Plans are a transitional requirement under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.
The Act sets out the content, timeframe and process for developing and accepting plans and implementation requirements
Councils were required to develop and submit plans, either individually or with other councils, by 3 September 2025 (unless an extension was granted).
The Secretary for Local Government holds responsibility for accepting plans or requiring amendments until they are acceptable.
Councils' water services delivery plans
The following water services delivery plans have been accepted by the Secretary for Local Government. The table below includes links to plans, to the assessments that supported the Secretary’s decision and to the latest implementation monitoring reports provided.
Chatham Islands Council
The Secretary for Local Government in December 2025 directed the Chathams Islands Council to resubmit an amended water services delivery plan in a two stage process.
The council was required to submit a complete asset condition assessment by 30 June 2026. This was completed as required.
The council is now required to submit a final amended version of the plan that addresses the financial sustainability requirements by 30 June 2028.
This allows sufficient time for the wider issue of central government funding for the Chathams to be addressed.
Water Services Delivery Plan implementation – quarterly monitoring
Councils are required to provide quarterly monitoring reports from 30 April 2026 to 30 June 2028.
The Department of Internal Affairs developed guidance about how to complete quarterly reports using a template.
Read guidance for preparing quarterly reports (PDF, 170KB)
Download the quarterly reporting template for water services organisations (DOCX, 71KB)
Download the quarterly reporting template for In-house Business Units (DOCX, 70KB)
Support available
We are available to support councils in the implementation of their Plans. This includes:
- Holding virtual information sessions with councils to provide information and guid
- Providing technical support, such as with Council led financial analysis.
Councils are encouraged to contact us if they need support or have questions.
Further support
If a council or a group of councils need support with developing their Plan, they can ask the Minister of Local Government to appoint a Crown facilitator or Crown water services specialist (at the council’s expense) by making a request in writing.
The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 enables the Minister of Local Government to appoint a Crown facilitators or Crown water services specialist, if it would be beneficial to assist a councils to prepare a Plan that meets legislative requirements.
Each appointment and term will depend on the individual circumstances of the councils.
About these roles
Crown facilitator
The role of a Crown facilitator is to assist a council or group of councils to prepare or give effect to a Water Services Delivery Plan.
A Crown facilitator can provide tailored guidance, facilitate collaboration among councils, or assist with joint planning efforts. These facilitators are not necessarily there to impose decisions but to help councils develop robust, achievable and financially sustainable Plans that meet their unique needs.
For example, a Crown facilitator could guide a council through the preparation of a Plan or work with multiple councils to facilitate or negotiate a joint Plan. If requested and agreed upon by the councils, the facilitator can also determine the terms of a joint arrangement to help resolve challenges and ensure progress.
A Crown facilitator can be an individual or a panel of people, enabling access to a range of specialist expertise and experience.
Find out more about Crown Facilitators and the Crown Facilitator appointment process (PDF, 187KB)
Crown water services specialist
The role of a Crown water services specialist can include to prepare a Plan on behalf of a council or group of councils, and (if necessary) to direct the councils to adopt, submit and implement this Plan.
A written request for a Crown facilitator or Crown water services specialist can be sent directly to the Minister or via email.