3 Waters Reform Heading in Right Direction

Waikato-Tainui are optimistic around the direction of the Three Waters reform following the Ministers announcement today.

Te Whakakitenga Chair Parekawhia McLean says todays high level announcement provides a clear direction of travel which for us centres around the health and well being of our water resources.

“Te mana o te wai / awa – is a core principle for the new water service entities is significant including the delivery mechanisms around water services,” said Parekawhia.

“This was the basis of our whole settlement and the Watercare case is a clear example of why change is important. The easy solution for Council and Watercare was to keep reverting to increase water take from our Awa tupuna and supply water to Auckland.”

“They need to look to alternative solutions to ensure they behave in a more sustainable way and not at the detriment to the health and wellbeing of our waterways.  By putting the water first, this aligns really well to the objectives of our River Settlement and Te Mana o te Awa and Te Ture Whaimana.”

“Co-governance alongside Council is a good thing and is not new for us. We have JMA’s and the Waikato River Authority. It works and means that we can hold our partners to account to do the right thing.“

“The proposals provide opportunities for our rural and more remote communities to have much need investment in infrastructure at marae, Papa kainga or wider communities like housing infrastructure.”

“These entities will create a lot of new jobs – we need to partner alongside and get our Rangatahi to pathway into these new roles – with our grants, we can work together on creating these outcomes for whaanau,” said Parekawhia.