Hurunui Water Reform: Join Forces With Kaikōura Or Go It Alone?

Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 8:06 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Hurunui residents can have their say on whether their council should join forces with Kaikōura to manage water services or go it alone.

The Hurunui District Council confirmed its preferred option of establishing a joint water services council controlled organisation (CCO) with the Kaikōura District Council, at a meeting on Tuesday, March 18.

It is open for consultation from Thursday, March 20, to April 21.

The Kaikōura council is consulting with its community at the same time.

Residents are able to express a preference for either a CCO or the council beefing up its existing three waters business unit, in line with the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.

Speaking to Local Democracy Reporter, Mayor Marie Black said she is keen to hear from residents, with public meetings planned next week.

‘‘We are looking forward to it. We always welcome their feedback.’’

The public can expect change with either option, she said.

‘‘Even with a ring-fenced business unit within the council, changes will need to be made to meet the requirements of the legislation.’’

Mrs Black said it had been a long process going back a decade, with the council investing in upgrading its three waters infrastructure while engaging with other Canterbury councils around future management options.

If public sentiment is opposed to forming a joint CCO, Mrs Black said the council will need to review its options.

While the Waimakariri District Council has opted to go it alone, Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the two councils had a long history of shared services and he expected it to continue.

‘‘Waimakariri has expressed it is very open to shared services and it is a great outcome for ratepayers overall.’’

The Hurunui District Council supplies water to households in the Ashley and Loburn areas, while Waimakariri provides design and IT services to the Hurunui and Kaikōura council’s water units.

Councils need to submit water services delivery plans for review by September 3 under the Government’s water reform programme,

The new legislation aims to address the country's water infrastructure challenges and replaced the previous Government’s Three Waters Reform.

Under the reforms, council-controlled organisations will be able to borrow for water infrastructure through the Local Government Funding Agency.

The policy aims to ensure financial sustainability for water services.

Public meetings are being planned in Amberley, Balcairn, Cheviot, Culverden, Hanmer Springs, Hawarden and possibly Waipara from Monday, March 24, to Tuesday, April 1.

Hearings will be held on April 29, with the council due to make a final decision on May 13.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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