NPDC has announced five people that will make up the board of directors of its new Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO).

The line-up brings a wealth of leadership, experience and knowledge of local government, infrastructure and water sectors to the table, and were appointed by Councillors at an extraordinary Council meeting today chaired by Deputy Mayor David Bublitz.

The new board members are:

• Michael Sage (Chair) - Specialist water and infrastructure lawyer, formerly a Partner at Simpson Grierson advising Watercare, Metrowater and councils across New Zealand.
• Onno Mulder – Former Group CEO of City Care and Chief Operating Officer at Northpower.
• Sara Brownlie - Certified Practising Accountants Fellow and finance governance specialist.
• Kim Skelton – Currently a Director at Te Atiawa (Taranaki) Holdings Limited and Te Atiawa Iwi Holdings Limited Partnership and previously a Director and member of the Audit and Risk Committee at Wellington Water.
• Joshua Hitchcock - Current Deputy Chair Venture Taranaki General Manager Economic Development and Pu Iho Tū/ General Manager Economic Development and Operations – Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa.

In July this year, the council decided to establish an NPDC WSCCO following public consultation. It will enable NPDC to meet the Government’s Local Water Done Well Strategy aimed at tackling New Zealand’s water infrastructure issues.

NPDC submitted its water service delivery plans for drinking water and wastewater to the Department of Internal Affairs in August and is awaiting approval, expected before the end of October. Stormwater services will continue to be delivered through an in-house model.

A transition plan was currently being worked on to oversee the transfer of people, assets, liabilities and contracts from the council to the new CCO. This will include the identification, valuation and transfer of all water assets and water-related debt. It will also guide the development of a 10-year water services strategy.

Fast Facts

• Each of the directors will be paid $50,000 p.a. and the chair will receive $92,700 p.a.
• The new interim Chief Executive, who will report to the board, is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.
• NPDC currently manages approximately 30,000 water connections.
• NPDC are investing $289m over the 2024-34 Long Term Plan to fix the districts

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