South Wairarapa District Council has put their support behind the call for urgent support from central Government towards water infrastructure reform, as made by Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker.
Mayor Walker’s recent letter to the Minister for Local Government highlights the mounting pressure on rural communities, and South Wairarapa elected members say the situation is being felt just as sharply in the South Wairarapa district
“Like Central Hawke’s Bay, we’re a small rural council doing everything we can to plan ahead, invest wisely, and collaborate with our neighbours — but the scale of the challenge is now beyond what small communities can carry alone,” shared South Wairarapa District Council, in their letter to the minister.
“Councils are now overwhelmed by compliance, unfunded mandates and escalating financial impacts of decades of underinvestment.”
South Wairarapa District Council is responsible for operating four wastewater treatment plants, four freshwater treatment plants, and an extensive rural road network — all with just 7,500 rateable units. Two of the district’s wastewater plants are currently under abatement notices, limiting new housing connections despite growing demand.
The Council is working with Carterton, Masterton, and Tararua District Councils to develop a regional water services model, Wairarapa + Tararua, under the Government’s Local Water Done Well framework. While the Council welcomes recent transition funding, it says further support is essential to ensure the model’s success and protect community wellbeing.
“We’re committed to being part of the solution. But without targeted funding and a fair approach to affordability, our ratepayers will face costs that are simply unsustainable.”
South Wairarapa District Council supports Mayor Walker’s call for:
- Targeted government capital funding for small and rural councils to address infrastructure backlogs, especially wastewater compliance.
- A nationally defined standard for affordability and Commerce Commission intervention.
- Expansion of the rates rebate scheme to support residents on fixed incomes.
“We believe the Wai+T model offers a sound approach to rural reform but we need central Government to work alongside us to share the load.”
South Wairarapa would welcome the opportunity to meet with central Government to further the conversation about sharing the cost of water reform.
“Our communities cannot afford to delay.”
ENDS
Media contact:
Email media@swdc.govt.nz