Three Waters stories
Contractors say New Zealand’s ageing water networks need faster decisions, after ministers deferred reforms and left regulation unresolved until late 2019.
Pressure is mounting for councils to focus on community wellbeing as water reform exposes funding and delivery gaps in local services.
Thousands of new workers will be needed to deliver planned infrastructure investment, putting pressure on contractors to widen the talent pool.
Councils may struggle to meet tougher freshwater and drinking-water standards without clearer funding, LGNZ warns in a new review.
Rising housing pressure and ageing assets are forcing councils to seek new funding tools as LGNZ urges election contenders to back infrastructure renewal.
Local councils are seeking more funding and policy support as climate change, ageing and infrastructure pressures reshape communities ahead of the 2017 election.
A looming shortage of 25,000 workers has prompted calls to widen recruitment, as women still make up less than 4 per cent of trainees.
Growing councils may soon gain new ways to pay for roads and water as a report urges options beyond rates and debt.
Communities face billions in upgrade costs as local councils seek a single framework linking freshwater standards, funding and affordability.
