Local Water Done Well

What is Local Water Done Well?

Local Water Done Well is intended to ensure water services remain financially sustainable, high-quality and well-managed for the future.

Council submitted its Water Services Delivery Plan in September 2025, setting out how it proposed to meet these requirements. The plan was subsequently approved by the Secretary for Local Government and confirmed Council’s intention to establish a joint Water Organisation with Tauranga City Council.

Both councils undertook due diligence covering governance and shareholding arrangements, financial sustainability, service delivery and how a joint Water Organisation would operate in practice (this is set out in the Summary Plan) before agreeing on 2 April 2026 to proceed.

Shareholding arrangements

Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council will be shareholders of Tāheke – Bay Waters Limited.

The new organisation will operate separately from the shareholding councils and will be responsible for delivering water services. The councils will provide strategic direction through a joint Statement of Expectations, which will set out their expectations of the organisation and the parameters within which the Board will operate.

Joint Commiittee

Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council established a Joint Committee to guide and support the establishment of the new Water Organisation.

Three elected members from each council sit on the committee, along with alternates and tangata whenua representatives. The Joint Committee plays a key role in supporting both councils in their role as shareholders of Tāheke – Bay Waters Limited.

You can read more here:Councils appoint Joint Committee to oversee new Water Organisation - Western Bay of Plenty District Council

Representatives of the Joint Committee:

• Western Bay of Plenty District Council: Mayor James Denyer, Cr Grant Dally, Cr Darlene Dinsdale, Cr Graeme Elvin, Cr Rodney Joyce
• Tauranga City Council: Mayor Mahé Drysdale, Cr Marten Rozeboom, Cr Hautapu Baker, Cr Glen Crowther, Cr Kevin Schuler
• Tangata Whenua: Hon. Kiritapu Allan, Roana Bennett, Rohario Murray, Shadrach Rolleston, Kylie Smallman, Hakopa Tapiata

Key steps

• Before 2 April 2026: Elected members considered the outcomes of analysis and due diligence undertaken by the councils, tangata whenua partners and council staff. This included governance and shareholding arrangements, financial sustainability, service delivery and how a joint Water Organisation would operate.
• 24 March 2026: Both councils met to consider the outcomes of the due diligence work and confirm the preferred pathway ahead of a final decision. You will find links to the key documents, and a livestream of this Council meeting further down this page.
• 2 April 2026: Both councils agreed to proceed with establishing a joint Water Organisation. You will find a link to the agenda, and a livestream of this Council meeting further down this page.
• April 2026: Kevin Lavery was appointed Establishment Chief Executive.
• May 2026: The Joint Committee was established to guide and support the establishment of the new Water Organisation.
• August 2026: The first three members of the organisation’s Board were announced, with their appointments taking effect from 1 September.
• September 2026:Tāheke – Bay Waters Limited was confirmed as the name for the new organisation.
• 1 July 2027: Tāheke – Bay Waters Limited will become operational and deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the sub-region.

Why change is necessary

Western Bay’s water services are well-managed today, but the current model does not meet the Government’s new financial sustainability requirements. Council needs to transition to a financially sustainable and legally compliant delivery model while maintaining local decision-making and public ownership.

Key challenges include:

• New Government requirements: Councils must demonstrate they can sustainably fund long-term water services.
• Infrastructure investment: Upgrading ageing pipes, treatment plants and stormwater systems will require significant investment.
• Population growth: More people means greater demand for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.
• Rising costs: Maintaining reliable services under stricter water quality and environmental standards will increase costs.

This isn’t a decision about whether change happens. It’s about making sure it happens in a way that works best for our community.

Council's Water Services Delivery Plan

Council’s Water Services Delivery Plan has been assessed and accepted by the Secretary for Local Government. It outlines how drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services will be delivered over the next 10 years and confirms Council’s intention to establish a joint Water Organisation with Tauranga City Council from 1 July 2027.

The plan confirms that working with Tauranga City offers the strongest pathway to long-term affordability and resilience. Financial and technical modelling showed that a multi-council Water Organisation is better placed to meet regulatory standards and future growth needs than Council operating alone.

The Commitment Agreement approved alongside the Water Services Delivery Plan sets out how Western Bay and Tauranga City will work together to design the new organisation. It outlines key principles including affordability, transparency, environmental guardianship and tangata whenua involvement.

Key documents:

• Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) - submitted to Government, meeting the 3 September deadline. This Plan outlines Council's intention for a multi-council Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) with Tauranga City Council.
• Commitment Agreement - signed by both Western Bay and Tauranga City Councils.