April 14, 2023
Māori keep place in water reform
Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty has confirmed Māori will retain their place in water infrastructure reforms, but it’s not at the level of co-governance.
A revised version of the three waters reform, rebranded Affordable Water Reforms, was unveiled yesterday.
Rather than four large entities managing fresh water, waste water and storm water infrastructure, the task will now be done by 10 entities based loosely on regional council areas.
Entities will be owned by local councils and run by professional boards, with members appointed on competency and skill.
Mr McAnulty says those boards will be appointed by local representative groups drawn from all the councils in each region, along with an equal number of mana whenua.
That partnership between council representatives and Iwi/Māori will also provide strategic oversight and direction to the entities.
He says the arrangement is necessary to raise the estimated $185 billion needed to fix water infrastructure over the next 30 years, which can’t be done of the financial risk remains with councils.