(Government Bill 108—1, Hon Simeon Brown)
From: Ukes Baha | 19 February 2025
The Local Government (Water Services) Bill represents a significant shift in how water services will be governed and managed in New Zealand. While it seeks to improve the provision of water services, it overlooks critical aspects of governance and fails to provide an inclusive framework for decision-making that reflects the values and principles embedded within our way of life in New Zealand.
The bill’s proposal to centralise water services through regional or national water organisations undermines the local control that communities currently hold. It limits local involvement in decisions that directly affect them, particularly for communities that have specific needs and values related to water management. Local authorities, as the closest governing bodies to communities, are best placed to make decisions in the best interest of their residents. This centralisation creates a disconnect between the people affected by water decisions and those making them.
Recommendation: Water governance must remain localised and participatory. Empowering local iwi, hapū, and communities through advisory boards or regional governance bodies will help ensure that decisions reflect the diverse needs of New Zealand’s people and maintain a deep connection with the local environment.
The bill introduces the ability for water organisations to set charges for water services, including stormwater and sewage. This provision raises significant concerns about the financial accessibility of water services, particularly for low-income or rural communities that are already economically disadvantaged. Development contributions for new housing developments could also place an undue burden on builders and consumers, potentially stifling growth or making housing unaffordable.
Recommendation: The bill should implement income-based pricing models for water services to ensure that charges are equitable and do not place an additional burden on vulnerable populations. Additionally, development contributions should be carefully managed to ensure that they do not become a barrier to housing development or economic growth.
The bill includes provisions for stormwater management and wastewater services but lacks strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. As New Zealand faces growing challenges due to climate change, water management must be forward-thinking and resilient. Māori principles of stewardship and guardianship of natural resources provide a framework that protects both the environment and the long-term health of our waterways. These principles can help guide sustainable water practices, ensuring that we do not sacrifice environmental well-being for short-term gain.
Recommendation: The bill should integrate Māori principles of guardianship, such as kaitiakitanga, into its provisions for water services. This would help ensure that New Zealand's water infrastructure is both climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable.
While the bill includes some consultation provisions, they are insufficient to guarantee that all affected parties, including Māori, have a genuine role in decision-making processes. The partnership envisaged in the Treaty of Waitangi is not just about consultation; it’s about ensuring active involvement in decisions that affect Māori communities and the broader population. Māori have a deeply embedded connection to water that should be respected, and their input is vital to ensuring decisions are made that reflect both cultural values and community well-being.
Recommendation: The bill should provide stronger mechanisms for inclusive decision-making, ensuring that Māori and local communities have a real say in water management. This could include formal consultation channels and a Māori-led governance role in water organisations.
The Treaty of Waitangi is not just a historic document; it forms the legal foundation for our relationships in New Zealand, reflecting the values that underpin our society, including the relationship between Māori and the environment. Māori principles of stewardship and kaitiakitanga are not only about protecting Māori rights but about safeguarding our natural resources for everyone. By excluding the Treaty’s principles from the core of this bill, it fails to uphold the shared responsibility we all have to care for and protect our water.
The bill’s omission of a clear commitment to Treaty principles risks undermining the collective well-being of New Zealanders, as these principles safeguard not just Māori interests but the environmental health that sustains us all.
Recommendation: The bill must explicitly recognise the Treaty of Waitangi as a core framework guiding water governance. It should integrate the principles of partnership and stewardship, ensuring that Māori values of guardianship are enshrined in decision-making processes. This would protect water resources for everyone, promoting the sustainable management of our natural environment.
The Local Government (Water Services) Bill has the potential to improve the delivery of water services in New Zealand, but it risks missing the mark by failing to fully integrate the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori principles. To build a truly inclusive, sustainable, and equitable water governance system, the bill must recognise the collective responsibility to protect our natural resources and ensure that local communities, particularly Māori, are actively involved in decision-making. By embedding the Treaty’s principles and Māori values at the heart of water governance, we can ensure a future where water services serve the interests of all New Zealanders, for generations to come.