Green Light For North Canterbury Water Coalition

Saturday, 31 May 2025, 4:27 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Two North Canterbury councils will begin negotiations over a future water group, after Kaikōura's councillors voted to join forces with their southern neighbours.

Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said he will begin talks with his Hurunui counterpart, Hamish Dobbie, following a vote on Wednesday, May 29.

The Kaikōura council voted by 6-2 to form a joint water services council controlled organisation (CCO) with the Hurunui District Council.

Earlier this month, Hurunui councillors voted by 8-3 to form ‘‘a coalition of the willing’’.

‘‘I think it would be really good to get the two councils together to get their joint views on the way forward," Mr Doughty said.

He said it will take time to work through the mechanics of how the new entity will work, but he is confident the two councils will be able to present a water services delivery plan to the Department of Internal Affairs by the September 3 deadline.

Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said it was a significant decision for the council.

‘‘We need to be thinking longer term and not just what is right in front of us.

‘‘Under the new water reform legislation, the cost of water services for our community will increase from 2026/27 regardless of the option we chose, but working closely with our neighbours helps with longer term affordability.’’

Councillors John Diver and Kevin Heays voted against forming a joint CCO, while Cr Robby Roche said he supported it with reluctance.

‘‘I can’t support it because I can’t take people into the unknown,’’ Cr Heays said.

Cr Diver said he was concerned the council will lose control of its assets under the CCO model.

Earlier this month, Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said forming a joint water services CCO was a big step for a small council.

She said she looked forward to forming ‘‘a coalition of the willing’’, in reference to the earlier work between the three North Canterbury councils, including Waimakariri, to consider water options.

Mrs Black said the door remained open to Waimakariri and other councils to join the CCO and she expected collaboration between the North Canterbury council to continue.

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he was pleased to hear his northern neighbours had made their decisions.

He said his council is continuing to work on its own in-house business unit to meet the requirements of the new legislation.

Like other mayors around the country, Mr Gordon received a letter from Local Government Minister Simon Watts to follow up on the water services delivery plan process.

‘‘The letter was just reminding us to make sure whatever model we choose is economically sustainable, and we can prove that from the work we’ve done.’’

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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