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Kaipara District Council (KDC) has formally approved the establishment of Northland Waters Limited as a Northland-wide council-controlled organisation (CCO) to oversee drinking water and wastewater services across the region.
The decision aligns with the region’s accepted Water Services Delivery Plan and confirms council’s participation in the jointly led programme being developed by Kaipara, Whangārei and Far North district councils.
As part of the approval, councillors signed off on the company’s key governance documents, including the Shareholders’ Agreement, Constitution and Transition Agreement. These set out how the organisation will be run, how councils will maintain oversight as shareholders, and how services will be transferred to the new entity.
The move follows last month’s in-principle commitment to a regional model for the delivery of water services from July 2027 and marks the next step in moving councils from planning stages into establishment.
Elected members also confirmed representation on the Shareholder Representative Group (SRG), appointing Mayor Jonathan Larsen and Councillor Luke Canton, with Deputy Mayor Gordon Lambeth and Councillor Snow Tane as alternates.
Mayor Larsen says the decision is a significant milestone for the district.
“Our primary focus throughout this process is to get the best deal possible for Kaipara ratepayers. At the same time, we have been focused on strengthening the wider Northland region in a way that is best for everyone,” he says.
Mayor Larsen also acknowledged the work of Councillors Craig Jepson and Rachael Williams through the Elected Member Steering Group, saying considerable planning had gone into securing a good outcome for Kaipara.
“This confirmation allows us to move into delivery – putting governance in place, confirming stakeholder representation, and starting the practical work needed to make sure everything is ready from day one.”
Kaipara is the first district council in Northland to formally approve the establishment. The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed that progressing with establishment is consistent with the accepted Water Services Delivery Plan, including in circumstances where another council may choose not to join at this stage.
Work will now focus on setting up the company, including transitioning services and staff, appointing a chief executive, and finalising the agreements needed to bring the new entity into operation by July next year.
