Three councils make legal challenge on Three Waters

Three councils make legal challenge on Three Waters
The government says rotting water infrastructure justifies reforms, as councils argue it breaches property rights. (Image: Getty)
Ian Llewellyn
Three councils have launched legal action against the government’s Three Waters reforms.The Timaru, Waimakariri and Whangarei district councils are asking the high court in Wellington to declare that councils own the water infrastructure assets for storm, rain and drinking water, and have “the exclusive ability to prevent others from interfering with such assets” and exclusive possession or control over them.In the hearing scheduled for June 7, they will argue the council’s infrastructure assets had “generally been...

More Infrastructure

‘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
Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b
Infrastructure

Cost of Ōtaki to north of Levin highway nears $2b

In 2020, the lower North Island expressway was costed at just $817m.

Oliver Lewis 01 Jul 2025
The keys to unlocking Northport's land value
Infrastructure

The keys to unlocking Northport's land value

MMH's land is valued at five times less than its next-door neighbour, Channel.

Ian Llewellyn 30 Jun 2025
Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment
Infrastructure

Food scrap U-turn chills waste sector investment

The Government’s backtrack on the food waste mandate undermines investor confidence.

Cécile Meier 30 Jun 2025