Waikato Waters Ltd established, largest water CCO in NZ
Mayors from left: Deputy Mayor Kevin Taylor – Taupō Mayor Susan O’Regan – Waipā, Mayor John Robertson – Waitomo Mayor Adrienne Wilcock – Matamata-Piako, Mayor Gary Petley – South Waikato, Mayor Max Baxter – Ōtorohanga, Mayor Toby Adams – Hauraki, Image supplied
Seven Waikato councils have formally signed the Shareholders’ Agreement for Waikato Waters Limited (WWL), marking the company’s official incorporation as a joint council-controlled organisation (CCO). This makes Waikato Waters Ltd the largest joint water CCO in New Zealand.
The new entity – jointly owned by Hauraki, Matamata Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā, Waitomo and Taupō District Councils – has been established to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water and wastewater services across their communities in response to central Government’s Local Water Done Well mandate.
The Shareholders’ Agreement represents a historic step toward regional collaboration, ensuring water and wastewater services are future proofed across the Waikato rural-provincial councils.
Te Mana o Te Wai, Te Mana o Te Tangata
Guided by the vision Te Mana o Te Wai, Te Mana o Te Tangata – Healthy Water, Healthy People, Waikato Waters aims to create a financially sustainable, customer-focused, and environmentally responsible model for water service delivery. This is the culmination of two years intensive work together to provide local confidence that WWL will meet local needs – current and future.
“We crunched the numbers and we’re confident that this decision to form a Council Controlled Organisation with other councils in the Waikato catchment will give the economies of scale and service efficiencies we need for our communities going forward. Holistically, it’s also the right approach for managing waterways as a whole in the Waikato", said Hauraki District mayor, Toby Adams.
Regional collaboration highlighted
The Hon Simon Watts, Minister of Local Government congratulated the seven councils representing the largest grouping of territorial authorities within Local Water Done Well. In a letter to the mayors of the councils, the Minister acknowledged the “impressive achievement” and thanked Waikato Water Done Well for their “work and collective commitment to the delivery of safe, resilient, environmentally sound, financially sustainable water services for your communities”.
The Minister also acknowledged the Waikato Iwi Chairs for their support in reaching this significant milestone.
Framework for Operating
The newly signed Shareholders’ Agreement sets the framework for how Waikato Waters Limited will operate as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). An Establishment Board is expected to be appointed by the end of August. As the establishment phase progresses, further announcements on leadership appointments and operational planning will be made.
This agreement represents an historic step toward regional collaboration, ensuring water services are future proofed and delivered to high standards.
For more information on Waikato Waters and the Shareholders’ Agreement visit:
