Articles tagged with Local Government Minister
Local Water Done Well: $48B Investment to Upgrade NZ Water Services by 2034
2 weeks ago | 104 viewsAll councils' water service delivery plans under Local Water Done Well have been assessed, with 76% of New Zealand’s population receiving services through council-controlled organisations (CCOs), addressing affordability challenges. Councils plan to invest nearly $48 billion over the next decade, including an additional $9 billion compared to previous estimates, to upgrade water infrastructure and ensure regulatory compliance after decades of underinvestment. This reform also anticipates the creation of around 9,000 new water industry jobs, balancing the need to fix existing issues while preparing for future population growth.
Tags: Simon Watts Local Water Done Well New Zealand councils water service delivery Department of Internal Affairs water infrastructure water industry jobs Local Government MinisterGovernment to Introduce Rates Cap Limiting Council Increases to 4% from 2027
3 weeks ago | 129 viewsThe Government will introduce a rates cap limiting annual council rates increases to between 2 and 4 percent per capita, aiming to control rising household costs while ensuring councils can maintain essential services. The cap will apply from January 2027 with a transition period for councils to adapt, and a regulator will oversee exceptions for extreme circumstances or justified revenue needs. Legislation will be finalized by early 2026, with the full regulatory framework implemented by mid-2029, including ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements for councils.
Tags: Simon Watts Government Local Government Minister councils rates cap rates increases household budgets Local Government Act Department of Internal Affairs regulatorNew Zealand Government Advances Infrastructure Funding Reforms to Boost Housing Growth
4 weeks ago | 155 viewsThe New Zealand Government is advancing reforms to improve infrastructure funding and financing to support housing and urban growth, focusing on land supply, infrastructure, and growth incentives through its Going for Housing Growth programme. Key initiatives include introducing the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Amendment Bill, replacing development contributions with a new development levies system, and proposing the Commerce Commission as the regulator for development levies to ensure fairness and transparency. Public consultation on these reforms runs until February 2026, aiming to create a flexible, consistent system that enables faster housing development and better infrastructure delivery.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Scott Simpson Housing Minister Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Infrastructure Funding and Financing Development Levies Commerce Commission New Zealand GovernmentLocal Government Minister Simon Watts: 20% of Councils' Water Plans Approved, Benefitting 2.5M Kiwis
3 months ago | 306 viewsTwenty percent of councils have had their water services delivery plans approved, benefiting over 2.5 million New Zealanders with financially sustainable approaches for the next decade under the Local Water Done Well initiative. The collaborative effort in the Waikato Water Done Well plan covers multiple districts and aims to achieve efficiencies for over 170,000 people. By utilizing shared services and lower-cost finance, councils can manage water plan costs effectively, easing financial burdens on communities and ensuring prudent investments in water infrastructure.
Tags: Simon Watts Taupō District Council Hurunui District Council Kaikōura District Council Waikato Water Done Well Local Government Minister Watercare Charter CCO New Zealanders Local Water Done Well.Local Water Done Well: Councils Deliver Plans for Quality, Cost-Effective Water Services
3 months ago | 362 viewsCouncils have submitted water services delivery plans under the Local Water Done Well initiative to ensure quality and cost-effective water services for ratepayers. The government aims to address water services challenges by enabling councils to collaborate on financial sustainability and infrastructure development. Plans will be reviewed and considered for acceptance, with a focus on financial sustainability to ensure safe and resilient water services for communities.
Tags: Councils Local Water Done Well Water services delivery plans Local Government Minister Simon Watts Financial sustainability Infrastructure New housing Joint arrangements Ratepayers Legislation.Local Water Done Well: Government Legislation Benefits Communities Nationwide
4 months ago | 401 viewsThe Government's Local Water Done Well legislation aims to provide safe, reliable, and financially sustainable water services to local communities across the country. The legislation focuses on ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and accountability in water service delivery, with the Commerce Commission overseeing economic regulation to ensure fair pricing and quality infrastructure. Councils are encouraged to submit water services delivery plans that meet the requirements and provide flexibility to make arrangements best-suited for their communities, ultimately benefiting Kiwis with improved water services.
Tags: Local Government Minister Simon Watts Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Kiwis Watercare charter Three Waters policy Local Government (Water Services) Act Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act Commerce Commission councils water services delivery planUnderstanding Council Spending: Impact on Rates & Communities | Local Government Minister Simon Watts
4 months ago | 1171 viewsLocal Government Minister Simon Watts emphasizes the importance of councils' spending transparency and its impact on ratepayers. The government aims to empower ratepayers by providing clear data on council performance and spending, allowing for better engagement and accountability. Additionally, there is a focus on councils delivering essential services efficiently and supporting communities through a potential rates capping system to ensure responsible spending.
Tags: Key metrics councils spending rates Local Government Minister Simon Watts ratepayers infrastructure fiscal management local governmentHamilton & Waikato Councils Unveil Groundbreaking Multi-Council Water Services Plan
5 months ago | 1280 viewsHamilton City and Waikato District Councils have collaborated on the first multi council water services delivery plan, aiming to benefit ratepayers by providing safe, reliable, and affordable drinking and wastewater services while keeping rate increases down. This joint effort, known as Local Water Done Well, ensures ongoing financial sustainability for 280,000 residents served by the combined organization, supporting infrastructure investment for growth and improved service quality over the next decade. Local Government Minister Simon Watts commends the councils for their proactive approach and encourages other councils to consider similar collaborative models to enhance community services.
Tags: Hamilton City Waikato District Councils water services Local Government Minister Simon Watts collaboration infrastructure ratepayers investment councilsSelwyn District Leads the Way in Water Services Reform with Launch of Selwyn Water
5 months ago | 906 viewsSelwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. “The launch of Selwyn District’s water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,” Mr Watts says. “Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.
Tags: Selwyn District Simon Watts Local Government Minister Paul James Selwyn Water Water Services Delivery Plan Commerce Commission Department of Internal Affairs Sam Broughton Local Water Done WellNew Zealand Government Launches City and Regional Deals to Drive Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development
5 months ago | 1121 viewsThe Government has laid out its expectations for City and Regional Deals (CRDs) as long-term partnerships that will increase economic growth, create jobs, and boost productivity for New Zealanders, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts say. The Government has also signed the first Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to negotiate deals with Auckland, Otago/Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty. “City and Regional Deals will be strategic 10-year partnerships between local and central government to progress joint priorities including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and utilisation of local assets, and closing the infrastructure deficit,” Mr Bishop says.
Tags: Government City and Regional Deals Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Local Government Minister Simon Watts New Zealanders