Two key Council meetings are scheduled for 24 March and 2 April 2026.
Both Councils will consider their approach under the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms, which require Councils to ensure water services remain safe, and financially sustainable over the long term.
In 2025, both Councils made decisions to work toward a joint water Council Controlled Organisation, establishing a shared direction and setting the foundation for the detailed work now underway.
The work to date is guided by core principles focused on local voice, high quality water services, and long-term sustainability for future generations and partnership with tangata whenua.
Between now and early April, elected members will consider the outcomes of extensive analysis and due diligence undertaken over recent months by Councils, tangata whenua partners, and council staff. This includes work on governance and shareholding arrangements, financial sustainability, service delivery, and how a joint water entity would operate in practice ahead of any final decision.
If the Councils resolve to proceed with a joint water organisation at their meetings on 2 April, the new joint water organisation would be formally established and operational from 1 July 2027.
“Water services are critical infrastructure for our communities. Councillors have spent considerable time working through technical, financial, and governance information to get us to this point, says Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor and Chair of the Western Bay Elected Member Working Group, James Denyer.
“We want to ensure that any joint water organisation is set up for success. Just as importantly, we’re committed to making sure our communities understand the decisions we are making and what they mean for our communities over time.”
Tauranga City Councillor for the Tauriko Ward and Chair of the Tauranga City Council Elected Member Working Group, Marten Rozeboom, says the decisions ahead are significant milestones.
“This is one of the biggest infrastructure decisions this Council will make, and it’s important we do what’s right for our communities in the long term,” he says.
“For more than six months we’ve been working through detailed due diligence to better understand all the factors involved before making a final decision in April.
“If we decide to set up a new water organisation, the same level of care and consideration will go into ensuring it is established in a way that best serves our communities into the future, as well as any other communities whose Councils may wish to join us.”
Tangata whenua co-chair Hakopa Tapiata says tangata whenua have been involved throughout the due diligence process.
"We are here to ensure tangata whenua voices are embedded in the future direction of any water organisation, and that future arrangements reflect our values, respect our relationships with water, and uphold what matters most to our people."
What happens next
- 24 March 2026 (formal Council meeting): Councils will meet to consider the outcomes of the due diligence work and confirm the preferred pathway ahead of a final decision.
- 2 April 2026 (formal Council meeting): Councils will make a final decision on whether to proceed with establishing a joint water organisation.
- Subject to Council decisions, the new joint water organisation would be established to deliver water services from 1 July 2027.
Council meetings will be live streamed and available to watch. Visit:
Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s YouTube channel
Tauranga City Council’s YouTube channel
Further information, including background material, timelines, and key dates, see council websites.