Waipā farewells 48 water services staff
Forty-eight Waipā District Council water services staff have been farewelled ahead of their move to the new regional water services organisation, Waikato Waters Ltd, tomorrow.
Between them, the group holds 327 years of experience across the Waipā water network, from compliance officers to engineers and treatment plant operators.
Mayor Mike Pettit said the move reflected years of work to get water services reform right.
"A lot of water has gone under the bridge to get here," he said. "There's a very good structure and very good people in place.
"A water utility focused solely on delivering water services is important because it brings dedicated governance, specialist expertise, and a clear focus on getting the job done well."
Chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said Waipā had played a leading role in the shaping of water services in the Waikato. It had been a privilege to chair the group of chief executives from each of the councils involved, she said.
"This is both an ending and a beginning. We have been on a long journey, predating my time here, but it's now the closing of the Waipā two waters chapter and the beginning of Waikato Waters Ltd.”
"Our staff have shown real resilience through a fast-moving and complex merger process since the decision was made to join Waikato Waters Ltd in July 2025. They'll now be shaping the culture, delivery and future of the new organisation. I’d like to thank them all for continuing to deliver business as usual as this transition was being managed, they have done outstanding work."
O’Sullivan said the Council was now progressing the next phase of its organisational transformation programme, Future Us, to ensure the organisation was appropriately structured and future-focused following the transfer of water services.
Waikato Waters Ltd is a new council-owned organisation responsible for delivering water services on behalf of six councils across the region. Waipā, Waitomo and South Waikato councils transfer their water and wastewater services from tomorrow July 1, Matamata-Piako from October 1, and Hauraki and Ōtorohanga councils from July 2027.
