New Plymouth, Stratford and South Taranaki district councils are proposing to team up to establish a regional council-controlled organisation to deliver future drinking water and wastewater services to Taranaki residents, with public feedback opening today.

The regional Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) is the proposed option the three councils are seeking community input on, as each Council looks to meet the government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) strategy to tackle New Zealand’s water infrastructure issues.

While the regionwide organisation is the proposed way to deliver the safe, reliable and affordable services required under LWDW, the councils have put up other options as well.

All three have an option to continue delivering all water services (including stormwater) through an in-house business unit, similar to what they do now but with some changes to meet new legislative requirements.

Additionally, NPDC is consulting on an option for its own WSCCO.

Taranaki Mayoral Forum chair and Stratford District Council Mayor, Neil Volzke says the councils started looking at a range of options in March last year, a big part of the discussion being what a joint water services model could look like in Taranaki.

“What was clear from the extensive investigations was that, by working together a regional model was a viable option well worth looking at and this has become the proposed model for each council.”

He says reforming water services is a significant and complex issue with a range of advantages and disadvantages inherent in every model being considered.

“This is an incredibly important decision, probably one of the biggest that we have faced in many years which is why it will be important to hear from our communities on what they believe is the best long-term option.”

Due to the nature of stormwater services, including it being influenced by other council services, such as roads, parks and land management, and growth planning, stormwater will continue to be delivered by each council.

To find out more and ways to have your say go to each council’s website:

• Stratford District Council: YourSay.Stratford.govt.nz/Local-Water-Done-Well
• New Plymouth District Council: npdc.govt.nz/haveyoursay
• South Taranaki District Council. www.southtaranaki.com/water

Submissions close 5pm, Friday 30 May.

Fast Facts

• Local Water Done Well is the Government’s plan to tackle New Zealand's water infrastructure issues. It recognises local decision-making and flexibility, allowing councils to choose to deliver water services on their own or with other councils.
• All councils must submit a draft Water Services Delivery Plan to the Department of Internal Affairs for approval, 3 September 2025.

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