The Hastings, CHB and Napier Councils will be voting simultaneously on Tuesday 9 September to establish the ‘Transitional Governance Group’ (TGG) that will supervise the transfer of water services from those councils to the new regional water agency, HB Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (HBWSCCO for short!). 

This transfer of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services from the three councils represents the most significant structural change to our local councils’ responsibilities in decades. Driven by the need for cost and borrowing efficiency.

The TGG will consist of two appointees from each of the three councils, who then select an independent chair. The signaled council appointees, to be confirmed at the Tuesday council meetings, are:

  • Alex Walker and Brent Muggeridge – CHBDC
  • Kirsten Wise and Keith Price – NCC
  • Sandra Hazlehurst and Michael Fowler – HDC

If any of these are defeated in upcoming election, they will be replaced, but the TGG goes on.

The objectives of the TGG are to:

  • Oversee the direction and provide governance leadership during the initial establishment and transition of water services to the WSCCO. 
  • Make certain decisions that are required to facilitate the initial establishment and transition to the WSCCO. 
  • Provide direction to the Project Steering Group (PSG, the chief executive of each council or their designee) and the Establishment Board (once appointed). 
  • Ensure that the joint Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) and WSCCO establishment process reflects the Councils’ objectives and statutory requirements.

The TGG will use “best endeavours” to make decisions by consensus.

The TGG will appoint the Establishment Board for the WSCCO and advise on the appointment of the Establishment Chief Executive. The WSCCO, jointly owned by the three councils, will ultimately assume responsibility and asset ownership for the delivery of water services.

So now the rubber begins to meet the road on future delivery of water services to virtually the entire population of Hawke’s Bay (Wairoa District Council opted out of the regional framework).

Stay tuned and get ready for water metering!

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9 Comments

  3. Water Done Well? More Like Water Done Expensive

    The Government may have dropped the “Three Waters” label, but Water Done Well is just the same thing dressed up in new branding. For Hastings, CHB, and Napier ratepayers, it means one thing: another level of bureaucracy and another rate bill on top of Council and Regional rates.

    Will these new water governors be paid allowances on top of already generous councillor and mayoral salaries? I expect so.

    What’s worse is that all of this could have been done smarter. A shared service between the three councils could have delivered the same outcomes, using existing staff, cutting duplication, and slashing three senior managers down to one general manager. That would have saved money, not wasted more.

    Instead, Water Done Well just locks in another bureaucracy, more costs, and less accountability. Ratepayers deserve better.

    Steve Gibson
    Mayoral Candidate, Hastings District

  4. This is the stage where the gloves come off. Council reps lining up their appointments like it’s a chessboard…all about favours, loyalties, and who can be counted on to nod at the right time. Merit will be the last thing on the list. It’s about stacking the table so the right people can pull the strings once the curtain goes up.

  5. Water, water, everywhere but not a drop to drink (that isn’t chlorinated filth). Thank the current mayors and their majors for this collosial error. Make sure to vote prior to the deadline for those who are in it for the right reasons, not the money money money (and glory). P.s. did you see the Mayor’s plaque in ode to herself at Art Deco Trust? What a display of pomp! Where is the plaque to the ratepayers?

  6. Wairoa already has a CCO QRS, why would they want another?
    Hastings had a CCO United Contracting and sold it off!
    CHB had a CCO Infracon and sold it off!
    Napier has a great in house civil team!
    Some wool being dropped over ratepayers eyes.
    Going to be a rather large CCO created to be able to achieve the desired outcome as being pushed by Councils
    But with what and whose money?
    Anyone seem a budget estimate to create and set this CCO up?
    Rates wasted yet again. ‍♂️

  7. Can you clarify what outgoing Mayor Hazelhursts situation is as an appointee to this as she is not showing on any candidate list for this election as shown on the council website. If she’s not a Mayor or councilor how does this work? Excuse not knowing the politics. Tried to research but couldn’t find. Thank you

    1. The newly elected mayor takes the seat. Each of the three council has two reps — the sitting mayor and one sitting councillor. Both must be currently elected.

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