Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says commitments to affordability and equitable pricing will be embedded in the foundational documents of the new two-council Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WS-CCO) being established with Whanganui District Council.

Mayor Kirton confirmed that the mayors of both councils have agreed affordability principles should be clearly reflected in the key governance documents of the WS-CCO, including its Constitution and the Statement of Expectations, which will guide the focus and performance of the Board of Directors (yet to be appointed).

“Both Mayor Andrew Tripe and I recognise that many Ruapehu water users have genuine concerns about future water costs.” Mayor Kirton said.

The Water Services Delivery Plan forecasts increases of around 92% over a ten-year period and that has understandably created anxiety in our communities.”

Mayor Kirton acknowledged that community campaigns have called on Council to withdraw from the two-council arrangement in favour of larger WS-CCO models that projected lower costs.

“While we recognise those concerns, Council is legally committed to establishing the two-council model.

What is important is how we set it up - and we are doing that together with Whanganui in a way that directly addresses affordability.”

He said both councils are united in their commitment to ensuring pricing is managed fairly across the two districts and that overall costs to connected water users and ratepayers are carefully considered.

In approving the Water Services Delivery Plan, Secretary for Local Government Paul James made clear his expectation that Ruapehu and Whanganui continue exploring options to mitigate affordability pressures, including price harmonisation and the potential to join with other neighbouring councils or groupings.

Mayor Kirton said both councils are entering the establishment phase with those expectations firmly in mind.

“We have agreed that the set-up of the WS-CCO will not rule out future expansion or price harmonisation between the districts,” Mayor Kirton said.

“That flexibility is significant. It enables the WS-CCO to explore opportunities to achieve greater scale and improved affordability over time.”

Whanganui Mayor, Andrew Tripe agrees.

“We will embed clear expectations around exploring equitable pricing and responsible financial management from the outset. That is essential to giving our communities confidence in the new entity.”

“We are now looking forward to the next phase – establishing the new water services entity in a way that is transparent and future-focused. Getting the foundations right at the beginning will be critical to its long-term success,” said Mayor Kirton.

“Both Ruapehu and Whanganui are committed to building a water organisation that is cost-effective, responsible, and focused on the wellbeing of our communities.”

Mayor Kirton said both councils will continue to work collaboratively and keep their communities informed as the establishment process progresses.

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