Green light for future-focused Waikato water services

Waipā residents can be confident their water and wastewater services are on a strong path forward, with the Secretary for Local Government approving the Water Services Delivery Plans of the seven councils forming Waikato Waters Limited.

The Waikato Water Done Well plans combine water services for over 130,000 people in the Waipā, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Hauraki and Waitomo District Council areas.

Minister for Local Government Simon Watts said the Waikato Waters plan was an “unprecedented and impressive collaborative effort, giving communities confidence that costs are well managed while investment is directed to where it’s needed most.”

Waipā District Council chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said the approval was a watershed moment that had given certainty and direction to both the partner councils and our communities.
“By working together, we can deliver smarter, fairer outcomes for our community while protecting rivers and lakes and building resilience for future growth.”

Don McLeod, independent chair of the Waikato Waters Limited Shareholders Representative Forum - which is made up of the seven district Mayors - said the plans were a signal of the shift from council delivery to being a member of a shared entity solely focused on water and wastewater service delivery.
“It shows our councils are ready to move forward together with a dedicated organisation focused solely on water.”

Waipā, Waitomo and South Waikato councils will transfer services to Waikato Waters Limited from July 1 2026, with Matamata-Piako following in October 2026 and Ōtorohanga and Hauraki in July 2027. Taupō District Council will remain a shareholder but operate a stand-alone business unit, with its approach reviewed in two years.