ŌDC agrees to progress toward joining Waikato Water Ltd

Ōtorohanga District Council (ŌDC) has agreed to progress toward joining the new council owned water services company Waikato Water Ltd (WWL) as a stage one shareholder.

This decision means that for now, Council will continue to deliver water and wastewater services in-house, while also playing an active role in shaping how WWL is set up and governed. Council has also signalled its intention to move to stage two in 2027/28, which would involve transferring water and wastewater assets and operations into the new regional company, if it can be shown the district will be no worse off financially or operationally.

Mayor Max Baxter says the move is about protecting local interests while contributing to a strong regional approach.

“This is about taking a seat at the table and helping shape a local solution that works for Ōtorohanga and the wider Waikato. By agreeing to progress toward joining as a stage one shareholder, we can ensure our community’s voice is heard in how this new company is developed. We’re being careful, measured and clear about what’s needed before we take the next step.”

One of the key benefits of the proposed model is greater resilience through regional collaboration.

“By partnering with other councils in the Waikato, we can build more resilience into how we deliver water services. It means we’ll be better placed to handle major challenges when they come up, like unexpected infrastructure failures or emergencies, by sharing resources, expertise, and costs. That’s good news for our community, both in terms of service reliability and keeping costs manageable over time.”

Council made its decision following public consultation and considered the feedback received during deliberations held on 10 June 2025. While the majority of Councillors supported the move, the decision was not unanimous, with three Councillors voting against.

Under the preferred option adopted:

• Ōtorohanga District Council agrees to progress toward becoming a stage one shareholder in WWL for water and wastewater services.
• Council intends to become a stage two shareholder in 2027/28, provided the district is no worse off than it would be if it was delivering services in-house applying the government’s new regulations for water
• Stormwater services will continue to be delivered by ŌDC directly.
• The decision will form part of Council’s Water Services Delivery Plan that must be submitted to the Minister for Local Government by 3 September 2025.

Mayor Baxter says Council will continue to keep the community updated as the process evolves.

“This is a big shift in how water services are delivered across Aotearoa, and we’re committed to taking the time to get it right for our people. Our focus is on making sure the services our communities rely on every day remain safe, affordable, and sustainable.”

More information on Local Water Done Well and WWL can be found at: https://engage.otodc.govt.nz/local-water-done-well