Lobby For Good Launches Civic Investigation Into ‘Local Water Done Well’ As Polls Show Public Disconnect

Tuesday, 7 April 2026, 7:27 am
Press Release: Lobby for Good

[Tauranga, New Zealand – April 7, 2026] - Independent civic agency Lobby for Good has announced a deep-dive investigation into the financial and democratic implications of the Government’s “Local Water Done Well” framework, following new polling that highlights a severe disconnect between political decision-making and public understanding.

As councils across New Zealand, including Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, move to establish joint water organisations , a recent Roy Morgan poll shows Government confidence at its lowest level since the 2023 election, with 56% of New Zealanders believing the country is heading in the wrong direction.

Lobby for Good Director of Public Affairs, Erika Harvey says the polling reflects a broader frustration with how complex civic issues are communicated to the public. “When 74% of New Zealanders have no real knowledge of the ‘Local Water Done Well’ framework, as recent surveys have shown, any consultation process becomes little more than a box-ticking exercise,” Harvey said. “People are feeling locked out of the decisions that directly affect their rates and their communities. Our role is to bridge that gap.”

Lobby for Good’s upcoming investigation will focus on the financial realities of the new water entities. The agency is analysing the shift of water assets and debt “off-balance sheet” into new council-controlled organisations (CCOs) - a move that international credit rating agency S&P Global has warned does not guarantee lower borrowing costs and may, in fact, act as a financial “magic trick” that masks true costs .

“This research is not about obstructing progress or attacking individual councillors or MPs,” Harvey emphasised. “It is about ensuring a comprehensive understanding of an issue that has massive implications for ratepayers. We want to provide helpful, data-driven insights that uncover information that might not otherwise be accessible to the layperson.”

The investigation will map the financial inconsistencies and democratic risks associated with the new framework, translating complex policy jargon into clear, actionable information for the public.

“When democracy happens behind closed doors or is buried in technical language, trust erodes,” Harvey added. “We are empowering people with the data they need to understand what is going on. Because when the public is informed, politics can be better.”

Lobby for Good’s initial findings on the “Local Water Done Well” framework, including analysis of recent council meetings and financial projections, are available on their Substack and website.

Notes:

•Lobby for Good is an independent civic agency dedicated to helping people navigate public systems with clarity.

•The agency uses data and independent research to empower communities and improve civic accountability.

References

[1] Bay Of Plenty councils make 'landmark' water decision after long debate. 1News.

[2] Poll: Coalition support at lowest since election, most Kiwis think country is ‘heading in the wrong direction’. Te Ao Māori News.

[3] Local Water Done Well: The $9 Billion “Magic Trick” You Weren’t Told About. Lobby for Good.

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