Local Water Done Well – October Update

Now that the joint Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) between Kaikōura and Hurunui District Councils has been approved by central government, it’s important to outline what this means for residents.

The first thing to note is there won’t be any noticeable change to your water services until 1 July 2026, when a new organisation 100% owned by both Councils will take over. This organisation will then be wholly responsible for the ongoing management and delivery of safe drinking water and handling of your wastewater and storm water.

This Water Services Council Controlled Organisation or WSSCO will have its own governance structure; operate independently from both Councils; and must adhere to a strict set of environmental and financial legislation. Financial sustainability will be a key tenet of any work or decisions going forward and balancing that with affordability for consumers.

The implementation process for the WSSCO will be well sign-posted, with a range of key milestones to be reached along the way. This will include establishment of a Council oversight group before Christmas to ensure the implementation process runs smoothly; development of a constitution for the new organisation and appointment of a Governance framework for the WSSCO.

There has been heavy investment in water services from both Hurunui and Kaikōura District Councils in the last 10 years. So, when those resources are transferred over to the new organisation on 1 July 2026, you can rest assured those assets will be in great shape and safe in the WSSCO’s hands.

The Water Services Delivery Plan is available HERE and on the Kaikōura District Council website.