Households

Benefits for households

After decades of under-investment, the amount of investment in water infrastructure required over the next 30 years is unaffordable under the status quo.

One of the key drivers for reforms is affordability. The four new Water Services Entities will be much bigger than any individual council and will be able to raise much greater levels of debt to fund the investment needed over the next 30 years. The reforms will also ensure repayment of debt for water infrastructure spread over a long-time horizon, rather than front-loaded onto today’s ratepayers as would be the case under the status quo.  

Before reform, costs are projected to range between $1,900 and $9,000 per year over the next 30 years. After reform, costs per average household are projected to range between $800 and $1,640.  

Households already pay for water as part of their rates, however, in the future will pay their new Water Services Entity for these services.

Interactive affordability map

Explore the household affordability map to understand the average cost of water services currently and how that is estimated to change when the new Water Services Entities are introduced.

Please note that the data provided was commissioned by the Department of Internal Affairs from specialist economic and commercial advisors, incorporating the current state of our water infrastructure and council's long-term plans. It is intended to be an estimate only.

Water Services Entities

Water services will be managed by four Water Services Entities.

This map shows you which entity area your council falls into.  

Entity A

Auckland City Council, Far North District Council, Kaipara District Council, Whangarei District Council.

Entity B

Hamilton City Council, Hauraki District Council, Kawerau District Council, Matamata-Piako District Council, New Plymouth District Council, Opotiki District Council, Otorohanga District Council, Rangitikei District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Ruapehu District Council, South Taranaki District Council, South Waikato District Council, Stratford District Council, Taupo District Council, Tauranga District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Waikato District Council, Stratford District Council, Taupo District Council, Tauranga City Council, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato District Council, Waipa District Council, Waitomo District Council, Western Bay of Plenty District, Whakatane District Council, Whanganui District Council.

Entity C

Carterton District Council, Central Hawke's Bay District Council, Chatham Islands Council, Gisborne District Council, Greater Wellington, Hastings District Council, Horowhenua District Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, Hutt City Council, Manawatu District Council, Marlborough District Council, Masterton District Council, Napier District Council, Nelson District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Porirua City Council, South Wairarapa District Council, Tararua District Council, Tasman District Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Wairoa District Council, Wellington City Council.

Entity D

Ashburton District Council, Buller District Council, Central Otago District Council, Christchurch City Council, Clutha District Council, Dunedin City Council, Gore District Council, Grey District Council, Hurunui District Council, Invercargill City Council, Kaikoura District Council, Mackenzie District Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Selwyn District Council, Southland District Council, Timaru District Council, Waimakariri District Council, Waimate District Council, Waitaki District Council, Westland District Council.