November 14, 2022
Greens rain on water reform
The Green Party is calling for changes to water infrastructure reforms.
In a minority report to the finance and expenditure select committee report on the three waters legislation, it says there should be seven rather than four regional entities managing water assets, and stormwater should stay with councils.
It says it wants greater local oversight and control.
Environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage says strong public ownership and control, sustainable funding, and meaningful iwi Māori involvement in the governance of drinking and wastewater infrastructure is essential.
She says the status quo is untenable, but the proposed model lacks a strong connection to regional communities and long-term funding certainty.