Horowhenua StarFrom July 2027 Central Districts Water will deliver water services to residents in Horowhenua, Palmerston North and Rangitīkei.
Until then each council will manage its own water services. Once CDW is operational, the councils will retain ownership as shareholders.
Celebrating the approval of the Central Districts Water Plan at Foxton are, from left, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden, Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith, and Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson. Photo supplied
The government recently approved the joint Water Services Delivery Plan for the three councils. The plan sets out how drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services will be delivered.
Horowhenua Mayor of Bernie Wanden says approval of the new entity is “exciting news”.
“The partnership will mean water assets remain locally owned, enable councils to meet tougher government regulations, keep costs affordable for our communities, and deliver safe, resilient and sustainable water services.”
The plan needed to be approved by the Department of Internal Affairs, which is overseeing the water reform process.
“Our plan only needed minor clarifications prior to sign-off, which shows how well thought out it was. I’m looking forward to working with the mayors, chief executives and councillors of all three councils,” Bernie says.
Recruitment for the governing board of CDW is expected to begin in early 2026.
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