Balance tipping towards forced 3 waters amalgamation

Balance tipping towards forced 3 waters amalgamation
LGNZ president Stuart Crosby (front left), lines up with government ministers to support the 3 waters reform package (Image: BusinessDesk)
Pattrick Smellie
Forced amalgamation of the country’s 67 local water services into four bodies covering the whole country is looking increasingly likely, with local government’s peak body signing an agreement to accept that outcome if central government requires it.In a 19-page heads of agreement (HoA) signed between Local Government New Zealand and central government on Friday, LGNZ agrees it will “will accept such a decision” and “not actively oppose such an approach” to the reform of drinking, waste and storm water service...

More Policy

Govt says university reform process is still on track
Policy

Govt says university reform process is still on track

Many university academics are wondering what happened to the Government's advice.

Greg Hurrell 29 Jul 2025
Bishop 'exploring options' to refresh critical freight study
Policy

Bishop 'exploring options' to refresh critical freight study

The study was last updated using data from 2017 and 2018.

Oliver Lewis 28 Jul 2025
Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension
Policy

Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension

Bay of Plenty hapū seek High Court intervention to stop expert panel being set up.

Oliver Lewis 23 Jul 2025
Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m
Policy

Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m

Antarctica NZ spent $9.3m on contractors in five months this year.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025