Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council will have two key meetings this month to determine whether the councils will move ahead with plans to establish a joint water organisation.

The meetings are scheduled for March 24 and April 2.

Both councils will consider their approach under the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms, which require them to ensure water services remain safe, and financially sustainable long-term.

In 2025, both councils agreed to work toward a joint water council-controlled organisation, establishing a shared direction and setting the foundation for the detailed work now underway.

The work so far is guided by core principles focused on local voice, high-quality water services, long-term sustainability for future generations, and partnership with tangata whenua.

Between now and early April, elected members will consider the outcomes of months of analysis and due diligence by councils, tangata whenua partners and staff.

This includes work on governance and shareholding arrangements, financial sustainability, service delivery, and how a joint water entity would operate before any final decision.

If the councils decide to proceed with any joint water organisation at their April 2 meetings, the new organisation would be established and operational from July 1, 2027.

“Water services are critical infrastructure for our communities. Councillors have spent considerable time working through technical, financial, and governance information to get us to this point,” said Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor and chair of the Western Bay Elected Member Working Group, James Denyer.

“We want to ensure that any joint water organisation is set up for success. Just as importantly, we’re committed to making sure our communities understand the decisions we are making and what they mean for our communities over time.”

Tauranga City councillor for the Tauriko Ward and chair of the Tauranga City Council Elected Member Working Group, Marten Rozeboom, said the decisions ahead are significant milestones.

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure decisions this council will make, and it’s important we do what’s right for our communities in the long term.

“If we decide to set up a new water organisation, the same level of care and consideration will go into ensuring it is established in a way that best serves our communities into the future, as well as any other communities whose Councils may wish to join us.”

Tangata whenua co-chair Hakopa Tapiata said tangata whenua have been involved throughout the due diligence process.

“We are here to ensure tangata whenua voices are embedded in the future direction of any water organisation, and that future arrangements reflect our values, respect our relationships with water, and uphold what matters most to our people.”

What happens next

March 24 – (formal council meeting): Councils will meet to consider the outcomes of the due diligence work and confirm the preferred pathway ahead of a final decision.

April 2 - (formal council meeting): Councils will make a final decision on whether to proceed with establishing a joint water organisation.