Featherston Council Hopefuls Plan To Scrutinise Costs

Friday, 12 September 2025, 4:42 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

With estimated water bills in South Wairarapa set to reach $6600 by 2034, Local Democracy Reporting asked South Wairarapa District Council Featherston ward candidates what priorities they will focus on, if elected, to ensure people can continue to afford living in South Wairarapa. 

Rachel Clarke 

Projected water costs for South Wairarapa are hugely concerning. However, there is still time to shape a better outcome. 

With two years before the new combined water utility (Wai+T) begins service delivery, we have an opportunity to set clear priorities, demand accountability, and ensure our community is heard. 

Councils and board members need to use economies of scale wisely and stay focused on reliable, affordable service. 

A major challenge for council will be balancing affordability once water charges are separated from rates. The total cost of rates plus water bills must be carefully managed to avoid overwhelming households.

Setting strong priorities around how services are provided will be crucial in keeping costs sustainable. Residents also play a role. 

Water meters can impact positively on water conservation through leak detection and water saving measures at household level can also make a difference of up to 30%. 

Local initiatives, such as subsidised water tanks, help households collect and store rainwater for use in drier months, further easing pressure. 

At the same time, strong advocacy to central Government is essential so small rural councils are not left with unsustainable costs. 

By combining practical steps with collective action, we can build resilience, protect households, and safeguard our most precious resource—water. 

Karen Coltman 

Local governments having hands-on control of water management is a good result. I am hopeful that the likely new water charges would be off-set as much as possible by a reduction in overall rates. 

I would like to see the rates-rebate subsidy go up and to include more people on low incomes. 

This along with Wairarapa employers increasing wages, which are generally low in the region, would help to keep household bills in check. 

I would like to see the estimated spending figures made public as they go, that is a consultation group set up to keep in the know all the way along - a watch-dog of some sort that is not councillor-based.

Colin Olds 

My priority, if re-elected, is to carefully scrutinise councils capital expenditure in its three-waters space. There are consent challenges currently before council that are non-negotiable, however there are also opportunities to look for more cost-effective options. 

Our current arrangement with Wellington Water has not generated savings or efficiencies as promised with council’s Wellington Water 2019 agreement. 

It is important to note that the modelled price estimate that could be imposed on ratepayers that are connected to water services are based on council's current 10-year work programme taken from their Long-Term Plan.

It’s also important to note that the amount estimated comes from Wellington Waters costings. The establishment of a Wairarapa-Tararua entity will bring economies of scale over a period of time.

It is also anticipated that technology, efficiencies, and legislation, will reduce the cost burden on ratepayers in the future. 

With council’s three waters assets and liabilities transferring to the new Wairarapa-Tararua entity by 2027, council will be obligated to look at how it intends to deliver services, in a cost-effective manner, with water services removed from its books. 

I remain committed, to ask the tough questions, ensuring our community has cost effective, affordable outcomes now and into the future. 

Rupert Watson 

The coming cost of water will be an existential crisis for South Wairarapa. A real kick in the guts. And it's much bigger than the council. 

The whole community must own it. The council has to lead, of course, with strict financial discipline and openness to new technology water treatment options that may cost less.

It has to be a 'can-do' council that helps local contractors, tradies, shops, and events boost our economy. But prioritising roads and pipes won't cut it. We have to always prioritise people. 

Social connections will be even more crucial so those on fixed incomes or with young families can thrive, not just survive. 

Lots of alternative thinking will also be needed as the old answers to many questions just don’t work any more.

First task for the new council will be to engage much more deeply with the communities of the three towns and rural areas to get the kōrero going on how to meet this challenge. 

If ever there's a need for effective wrangling and knocking heads together, it's now! 

Other candidates 

Featherston ward candidate Martin Davis did not respond. 

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

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.