Drinking Water Stories

Kiwi Stories

Drinking Water stories

Whakatāne hits pause on joint water service consultation

Residents will wait longer for a say on whether Whakatāne should join a four-council water body, after neighbouring councils paused their own plans.

By Diane McCarthy • 3 min read • Today

Opinion

Water security a step closer for Tararua township

Residents in Pahiatua are set for fewer boil-water scares as Tararua District Council starts a year-long $4 million network upgrade.

By Rebecca Hogan • 2 min read • 2 days ago

Public Sector

Almost $3m in water charges missed across Selwyn

Around 2,700 Selwyn properties may have been underbilled, leaving ratepayers facing up to GBP £1.4 million in water charges.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Last week

Public Sector

Napier council head leaving to steer new Hawke's Bay water entity

Household water bills and service delivery will be shaped by Louise Miller's move to lead Hawke's Bay's new regional water entity.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week

Risk & Compliance

'Unsettling' dead rat discovery leads to boil water notice in Horowhenua

About 40 households in Mangaore have been told to boil water after two dead rats were found in a reservoir during a routine inspection.

By Rebecca Hogan • 2 min read • Last month

Disaster Recovery

$6.2m water main project set to disrupt Hastings for 11 months

Central Hastings businesses face parking curbs and possible road closures for nearly a year as a new drinking water trunk main is built.

By Linda Hall • 4 min read • Last month

Housing

Infrastructure NZ launches election campaign on policy

Voters are being asked to weigh party plans on transport, water and energy as Infrastructure New Zealand pushes infrastructure up the election agenda.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Public Sector

Marlborough's new water service loses board member before first meeting

Concern over Marlborough Waters' launch has grown after a board member quit before its first meeting, citing work commitments in Tauranga.

By Kira Carrington • 3 min read • Last month

Climate change

Six minutes, four directors, one mission: New water body's first meeting

Residents will judge Marlborough Waters by whether they can trust tap water, as the new board begins recruiting a chief executive.

By Kira Carrington • 3 min read • Last month

Risk & Compliance

$141k bill for Hauraki council to fix non-compliant plants

Ratepayers could face a NZD $141,388 repair bill as Hauraki council moves to bring three water plants up to code.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • Last month

Tasman District Council

Flush with potential: Shifting wastewater from sea to soil

Reuse plans could cut ocean discharge and help irrigate crops, sports grounds and industry across Nelson Tasman within two years.

By Max Frethey • 5 min read • Last month

Public Sector

Wairarapa water entity eyes up new HQ

Residents across Wairarapa and Tararua are set to gain safer, more reliable water services as Waitī Waters prepares for a July launch.

By Emily Ireland • 3 min read • Last month

Digital Transformation

You can't manage what you haven't measured: the execution test for water reform starts now

Households could face higher bills unless new water entities lift delivery from councils' 60 to 80 per cent record and prove their costs.

By Jason Perera • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Aug 2026

Internet of Things

Rakaia's new water meters struggle with wi-fi reception

About a quarter of the Rakaia rollout cannot yet report readings, leaving Ashburton District Council unable to rely on the system for wider use.

By Jonathan Leask • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Aug 2026

Public Sector

Waikato mayors come out swinging at Government's rates cap

Waikato councils say a 4% rates cap will squeeze funding for water and wastewater, as mayors accuse ministers of hypocrisy.

By Jordan Smith • 4 min read • Thu, 27th Aug 2026

Risk & Compliance

Ohakune water outage raises questions internal review can't answer, councillor says

Residents of the Ruapehu town were left without taps for nearly three days after a pipeline break went undetected, prompting calls for outside scrutiny.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Fri, 21st Aug 2026