The Government has approved the joint plan submitted by the Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings and Napier councils for the delivery of water services across their jurisdictions. A four-person Establishment Advisory Board is now in place to oversee a phased transition of water services from the three councils to a new, jointly owned organisation.

Set to become operational from 1 July 2027, the new Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) will bring together the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services for a combined population of 144,000, managing approximately 52,000 water connections.

The Hawke’s Bay Water Services Joint Committee – comprised of the mayors, an additional elected member from each council and an Independent Chair (Jon Nichols) – has appointed the Establishment Board.

Wendie Harvey has been appointed as Advisory Board Chair, with Steven Joyce, John Loughlin, and George Reedy appointed as Board Members.

The Establishment Advisory Board will provide strategic oversight and direction for the formation of the WSCCO. 

Key responsibilities will include ensuring alignment with the Joint WSDP and Local Water Done Well legislative requirements, appointing an Establishment Chief Executive, and overseeing the transfer of staff, assets, liabilities, consents, contracts, and land from the councils to the new organisation. This transition will also involve identifying, valuing, and transferring all water-related assets and debt, as well as guiding the development of a 10-year water services strategy for the region.

Establishment Board Members

  • Wendie Harvey is a highly experienced director, lawyer, and business consultant, with a strong background in infrastructure, energy, and organisational transformation.
  • Steven Joyce brings over 30 years of leadership experience across the commercial, government, and media sectors. He is a former Minister of Finance and Economic Development and was previously CEO of RadioWorks.
  • John Loughlin’s governance and leadership experience spans over 40 organisations, across horticulture, agriculture, infrastructure and economic development sectors.
  • George Reedy is an accomplished Chair, Director and Trustee across commercial and non-profit sectors, and the former Chief Executive of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou.
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2 Comments

  1. A regional council controlled organisation to manage water was sold to us as the cheapest option to provide 3 water services to Napier. How does this fit with the appointment of an Establishment Board consisting of 4 Board Members, 3 of whom are Professional Directors, none of whom (I suspect) will be working for free? What we need are pipes and wastewater processing plant upgrades, not more layers of costly Governance!!

  2. Afterthought: perhaps the stock photo of pipes that you use above to signify a story about HB water should be swapped out for one of a boardroom with besuited executives smiling and talking?

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