Tauranga City Council confirms its Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) has been formally accepted by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The WSDP sets out how Tauranga will manage water supply, wastewater, and stormwater services over the next decade, ensuring long-term safe, reliable, and affordable services for our growing community.
Council’s plan set out a clear transition towards a new multi-council Water Organisation (WO), by 1 July 2027 with Western Bay of Plenty District Council. This followed Council’s August decision to establish a WO with its neighbouring council, subject to due diligence.
The partnership approach may potentially include other councils in the future (if beneficial to both parties) and aims to:
- Improve access to funding for critical water infrastructure
- Deliver economies of scale and operational efficiencies
- Provide high-quality, affordable water services for all communities
A recently formed Tauranga City Council Elected Member Working Group will continue to oversee due diligence and ensure the process reflects the needs and priorities of Tauranga’s communities. Regular updates will be provided as key milestones are reached.
Chair of the Elected Member Working Group and Tauriko Ward Councillor, Marten Rozeboom, says the acceptance of the WSDP is a significant step forward.
“Residents can be assured that our priority remains delivering affordable, equitable, and high-quality water services long into the future as we work through the due diligence process up until March 2026. Any transition to a Water Organisation will only go ahead if both parties are satisfied with our findings.”
“This is about making sure our city has the infrastructure needed to deliver safe, sustainable water services for generations to come.”
Members of the working group include Cr Marten Rozeboom, Cr Glen Crowther, Cr Kevin Schuler and Cr Hautapu Baker. Together with the councillors from Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s working group they will form a joint Governance Group overseeing any establishment of a new multi-council Water Organisation.
Tauranga City’s plan was accepted alongside the plan for Western Bay of Plenty District Council. The assessment report will be available on the DIA’s website.
The acceptance of Tauranga’s WSDP confirms Tauranga is on track to meet the requirements of the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025, which came into effect on 27 August 2025.
To learn more about the future of water services in Tauranga, visit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/water-partnership