NZ InfraWatch
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WATER
Local Water Done Well — National Programme
Department of Internal Affairs / Councils · National / Multi-region
National's replacement for Labour's Three Waters reforms. Framework allows councils to opt into water services entities. Estimated NZ-wide water infrastructure deficit of $120B–$185B. Critical infrastructure for water safety, wastewater, and stormwater. Policy framework is contested.
C
51/100 · Uncertain
Completion Probability — likelihood this proceeds on roughly its stated timeline.
Funding statusweight 30%
Delivery stageweight 25%
Election / policy riskweight 20%
Govt priority alignmentweight 12%
Project scaleweight 8%
Delivery agencyweight 5%
Key facts
- Region
- National / Multi-region
- Sector
- Water
- Status
- Planning
- Estimated value
- $15b
- Indicative completion
- 2030
- Funding status
- Part Funded
- Lead organisation
- Department of Internal Affairs / Councils
- Election risk
- Extreme
Election risk assessment
Replaces Labour's Three Waters / Affordable Water Reforms. National's framework would not be continued under Labour, who would likely re-establish a different central entity.
Government priority alignment
HIGH — The government's own Local Water Done Well framework — a core policy priority.
Chronology
- 2021Labour announces Three Waters reform: four new water entities to take over from councils
- 2022Three Waters legislation passes despite major council opposition
- 2023National wins election promising to repeal Three Waters
- early 2024Three Waters repealed. Affordable Water Reforms Act repealed
- 2024Local Water Done Well framework enacted. Councils invited to form voluntary water entities
- 2025Some councils opt into new entities; investment gap of $120–185B acknowledged
- 2030Programme target — first wave of infrastructure investment underway