Timeline | Water Services Reform

June 2000

Aging Pipes and Murky Waters: Urban water system issues for the 21st century

Report issued by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment noting industry and community evidence indicating the current ‘model’ for delivering three waters services “has now reached the end of its design life”.

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September 2010

Report of the Land and Water Forum: A Fresh Look for Fresh Water

The report states key changes to improve water services management included rationalisation of existing council-linked water utilities (both urban and rural) into a small number of large, publicly owned utilities to provide water supply, wastewater and associated management services.

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August 2016

Havelock North Gastroenteritis outbreak

Resulting in an estimated 5,500 people sick, 45 people hospitalised and linked to multiple deaths.

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September 2016

Announcement of the establishment of an Inquiry

Attorney-General, Hon Christopher Finlayson, announces the establishment of an Inquiry into the Havelock North Drinking Water contamination event.

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May 2017

Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water Stage 1 report released

The report found councils failures contributed to the outbreak and put public safety at stake.

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June 2017

Three Waters Review

Local Government Minister Anne Tolley initiates a cross-agency Three Waters Review.

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December 2017

Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water Stage 2 report released

It found the problems relating to the delivery of drinking water were not limited to Havelock North and were evident in other parts of New Zealand. It recommended improvements were urgently needed in both regulatory and delivery systems.

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2018-2019

Three Waters Review

Three Waters Review raises questions about the effectiveness of the regulatory regime for the three waters system, and the capability and sustainability of water service providers (67 councils).

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November 2018

Announcement of work to overhaul three waters regulation

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Health Minister David Clark announce work to overhaul three waters regulation as part of the Three Waters Review.

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December 2019

Water Services Regulator Bill introduced to Parliament

Water Services Regulator Bill introduced to Parliament to establish a dedicated water services regulator.

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July 2020

Three Waters Reform Programme announced

Three Waters Reform Programme announced to address the service delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.

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October 2021

Water Services Act 2021 is passed

Water Services Act 2021 passes to establish water services regulator Taumata Arowai to oversee compliance with new drinking water standards, and future reporting on environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater networks.

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March 2022

Three Waters National Transition Unit (NTU) established

To lead transition of water services management and delivery from 67 councils to four new Water Services Entities.

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March 2022

Working Group on Representation, Governance and Accountability releases report

With recommendations on strengthening local representation, governance and accountability arrangements for the new Water Services Entities.

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May 2022

The Rural Supplies Technical Working Group report is released

The report is released to recognise rural communities’ unique drinking water needs.

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June 2022

Water Services Entities Bill introduced

Water Services Entities Bill introduced to Parliament to establish the four new Water Services Entities.

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December 2022

Water Services Entities Bill passes third reading in Parliament

The Bill will pass into law and become the Water Services Entities Act once it receives Royal Assent.

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December 2022

Water Services Legislation Bill introduced to Parliament

This outlines further technical detail to establish the Water Services Entities.

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1 July 2024

Water Services Entities established

Water Services Entities established to provide drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services.

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Havelock North Gastroenteritis outbreak

Water Services Entities established