August 22, 2021
Councils baulk at Three Waters plan
Hawke’s Bay iwi and local government representatives say the Government’s proposed Three Waters reform isn’t the right fix for their region.
The proposals to transfer freshwater, stormwater and wastewater services from councils to four large regional entities was triggered in part by e-coli contamination in the Hastings water supply.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chair Rick Barker says the proposed entity responsible for Hawke’s Bay three waters service delivery under the proposal does not reflect geographies aligned with Ngāti Kahungunu.
That means the identity of mana whenua in Hawke’s Bay is likely to be lost in the proposed governance model and would not provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to decision-making.
Wairoa mayor Craig Little says the councils aren’t convinced the Government’s assurances about cost savings, and they are also concerned about losing jobs and expertise locally.
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