A watery end to Hipkins' policy bonfire

A watery end to Hipkins' policy bonfire
Chris Hipkins and Kieran McAnulty launch the new, improved not-three waters policy. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
There were two big news developments on the policy-formerly-known-as-three-waters this week.One was the rebranding of this political canker as “affordable water” along with a minor capitulation to require the country’s 67 local councils to amalgamate their water services into 10 rather than just four new water infrastructure delivery agencies.At an event in Wairarapa’s Greytown next to a municipal swimming pool, the prime minister, Chris Hipkins blew on the damp embers of his early term “policy bonfire”, rena...

More Policy

MoT to gauge market interest in toll road concessions
Policy

MoT to gauge market interest in toll road concessions

Investment bank Citi will assist the ministry. Transurban has already signalled interest.

Oliver Lewis 03 Jul 2025
Govt announces first three 'regional deal' contenders
Policy

Govt announces first three 'regional deal' contenders

Ministers want regions to consider 'asset recycling', among other funding tools.

Oliver Lewis 02 Jul 2025
‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades
Policy

‘Bluewater backbone’: Lyttelton, Auckland ports plan $1b+ of upgrades

Two of the biggest NZ ports are raising prices as they plan major investments.

Oliver Lewis 02 Jul 2025
'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'
Policy

'There are some firms in NZ I won’t touch'

Adam Feeley on the reluctance to call out poor performers in NZ infrastructure sector.

Oliver Lewis 30 Jun 2025