Three Waters Reform

Last month I said I would write on changes effecting small drinking water suppliers but that will have to wait sorry because last week Government made some big announcements, including its reckonings on what the gap between what it will cost each household if CODC opts out of the reforms as opposed to joining in; and those numbers are both staggering and questionable.

The Government figures go out 30 years to 2051 and claim each household will then be facing a staggering $7,790 compared to $1,070 now. Those figures were only been arrived at. 

Good work done by CODC in the past is reflected by that $7,790 figure being significantly less than predicted for most of our immediate neighbours, but that doesn’t make it any less shocking.

In terms of the decision for the end of the year, a comparison between opting out of the reforms or not is obviously a hugely significant part of the equation. According to the Government figures, that $7,790 figure drops to $1,640pa. I am not the only Mayor shaking their head at that massive difference, but I will be waiting for supporting evidence and some independent advice before making a final decision on whether what appears an unbelievable difference can in fact be believed.

The Government also announced our services would be managed (if we are “in”) under the “Ngai Tahu takiwā” or tribal area model. I have had people approach me very nervous about iwi involvement in reforms, but the reality is that Ngai Tahu have the right to be involved, both through the Treaty and the Iwi’s settlement with the Crown. These were agreements made 181 and 23 years ago respectively and to me, a deal is a deal so let’s get on with it. But let’s be clear, Ngai Tahu have stated very plainly and openly that the iwi does not want any ownership of the new entity or the infrastructure, just a governance voice alongside councils. We are fortunate to be working alongside

one iwi rather than many and the takiwā-based model reflects the benefit of that. Importantly, iwi involvement in the governance model proposed provides a safeguard to one of the biggest concerns about the reforms, which is privatisation further down the track.