Crown Facilitator Appointed to Guide Waitaki’s Water Plan Under Reform Programme

In a move aimed at ensuring transparency and sustainability in local water management, Local Government Minister Simon Watts has announced that a Crown facilitator will be appointed to assist the Waitaki District Council in revising its water service delivery plan under the Government's Local Water Done Well framework.

Strengthening Local Oversight in Water Reform

The appointment follows direction from the Secretary for Local Government, who requested that the Waitaki District Council amend its current plan to include a detailed assessment of the condition, lifespan, and value of its three key water networks — drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater.

Minister Watts emphasized that these changes are essential to ensuring that Waitaki's water infrastructure remains financially sustainable and fit for future demand.

"Our priority is for Waitaki ratepayers to have a plan that ensures the costs of necessary water infrastructure upgrades are fair, transparent, and do not lead to disproportionate rate increases," Mr. Watts said.

The Local Water Done Well policy replaces the previous government's Three Waters programme, placing responsibility for water service delivery back into local hands — but with strict requirements for accountability, financial clarity, and long-term infrastructure planning.

Crown Facilitator to Support Compliance and Capability

Under the decision, the Waitaki District Council must now complete a comprehensive asset condition assessment and resubmit its amended plan by 30 June 2026. This timeframe allows six months for the technical assessment and a further three months to finalize the updated delivery plan.

To ensure compliance with legislative standards and best practices, Minister Watts has opted to appoint a Crown facilitator who will provide hands-on guidance throughout the process.

"I have considered my options and decided to appoint a Crown facilitator to assist the Council in ensuring its amended plan contains the information required to accurately assess the financial projections and overall financial sustainability," the Minister stated.

The facilitator will also help the Council evaluate all potential water service delivery models, ensuring the final proposal benefits local ratepayers and maintains efficient and safe water management systems.

Ensuring Expertise and Transparency

Watts confirmed that he has informed Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher of his decision and expects to confirm the facilitator's appointment by mid-November. The appointee is expected to bring specialized expertise in public infrastructure planning, financial management, and local government processes.

"I am confident the Crown facilitator will help ensure the Council has the expertise and tools to undertake its asset condition assessment and consider its delivery model options, and update its plan accordingly," Mr. Watts said.

The role of the Crown facilitator is not to override local decision-making but to enhance the Council's capacity to meet the new national standards. The facilitator will provide technical and administrative support, ensure data accuracy, and act as a liaison between the Council and central government during the review process.

The Bigger Picture: Reforming Water Services Nationwide

The Local Water Done Well initiative represents the Government's new approach to water reform, emphasizing local control, accountability, and financial resilience. Unlike the former Three Waters model, which proposed regional amalgamation of services, the new policy empowers councils to manage their own systems — provided they demonstrate robust governance and financial viability.

For Waitaki, this represents an opportunity to modernize its water infrastructure, improve asset data quality, and ensure future investment aligns with community expectations and affordability.

Minister Watts reaffirmed that the Government's broader goal is to create a sustainable national framework for water management that balances local autonomy with public health and environmental protection.

"Local Water Done Well is about giving councils the tools they need to make sound, evidence-based decisions about their water networks. The appointment of a Crown facilitator in Waitaki reflects our commitment to supporting councils through this transition, not leaving them to face complex challenges alone," he said.

As Waitaki prepares to embark on the next stage of its water infrastructure review, the appointment of a Crown facilitator is seen as a proactive step to ensure compliance, capability, and confidence — both for local authorities and for ratepayers relying on safe, affordable, and sustainable water services.