Govt to press on with three waters reforms

Govt to press on with three waters reforms
The government is betting fixing broken water infrastructure is a vote winner. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
The government has accepted almost every recommendation from the working group that reviewed its “three waters” reform programme and will press ahead despite an ongoing build-up of political opposition.Today’s announcement from local government minister Nanaia Mahuta, backed by infrastructure minister Grant Robertson, sought to portray the final decisions on the contentious policy as new concessions to the growing body of opposition from local councils to the initiative.Mahuta, for example, sought to take the sting out of raci...

More Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs
Policy

Open banking's red tape may stifle lenders' innovation: fintechs

Fee-free open banking and levies may deter banks from innovating with new tech.

Andy Macdonald 17 Oct 2025
Government to set up single science funding body
Policy

Government to set up single science funding body

Research Funding NZ will replace at least three existing funding bodies.

Staff reporters 14 Oct 2025
Reserve Bank to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratios
Economy

Reserve Bank to ease mortgage loan-to-value ratios

The bank is relaxing LVR settings from the start of December.

Rebecca Howard 14 Oct 2025
LNG imports: Watts open-minded on scale
Policy

LNG imports: Watts open-minded on scale

Energy sector analysts fear a "small, cheap" option will push up the LNG price NZ pays.

Pattrick Smellie 09 Oct 2025