Running down the clock on three waters

An uneasy meeting of minds? Nanaia Mahuta and Wayne Brown discussing three waters reform last month. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 04 Nov 2022

For as long as the government has been pursuing its three waters reforms, there has been confident speculation that it would end up either abandoning or radically softening the policy. Yet, at every potential turning point – until this week – the government has dug in. Local government minister Nanaia Mahuta has appeared largely impervious to the many sources of opposition that have coalesced to make the worthy goal of upgrading New Zealand’s creaky water infrastructure one of the biggest political headaches the gove...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Economy

Weak red meat prices drop ANZCO Foods' profit nearly 60%

But, unlike other major processors, it still managed to turn a profit.

Riley Kennedy 12:27pm

Retail

'Spectacular': Briscoe's Rod Duke rapt with 1Q sales result

Unaudited group sales grew 1.03% amid tough trading conditions.

Gregor Thompson 11:50am

'Spectacular': Briscoe's Rod Duke rapt with 1Q sales result

Economy

ANZ increases cash profit as net interest margins get squeezed

ANZ New Zealand has reported a 4% increase in its half-yearly profit despite pressure squeezing its margins.The bank's cash profit increased to $1.15 billion in the six months to March, up from $1.1b in the same period last year, but stable compared to the second half of its...

Riley Kennedy 10:50am