November 01, 2022
Lines drawn on three waters changes
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the Government would consider some of the objects to the Three Waters reforms raised by the new Auckland, Christchurch and Waimakariri mayors.
Wayne Brown, Phil Mauger and Dan Gordon say their alternate plan would allow participating councils to own and govern the new regional water organisations, which could be configured differently than the four now planned,
They would retain the new national water regulator Taumata Arowai, but co-governance or “meaningful roles for mana whenua” would be determined by each body.
Ms Mahuta says many councils have said they already have positive relationships with iwi and mana whenua which they want to enhance.
“And from a water perspective they were very mindful that Maori aspirations to have good drinking water and improve water going into the receiving environment and on to of that treaty settlements, it was all apart of trying to ensure we didn’t lose anything along the way,” she says.
Nanaia Mahuta says councils which have co-governance already say it leads to better decision making for the whole community.
“From a water perspective councils were mindful of Māori aspirations to have good drinking water and improved water going into the environment as well as Treaty Settlements.” said Minister Mahuta