What reforms are being proposed?
Ten new entities would be responsible for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater
The proposed water infrastructure reforms (previously known as “three waters”) would shift responsibility for delivering water services away from 67 individual city and district councils.
Instead, 10 new Water Services Entities would be responsible for delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.
View a map of the 10 proposed Water Services Entities [link]
Entities would be council-owned and independent
Local councils would own these Water Services Entities on behalf of the public. But the entities would remain operationally and financially independent from the councils.
Council and mana whenua representatives will select the boards to run the entities
Boards would run the Water Services Entities. Regional representative groups that include councils and mana whenua would select and oversee the boards.
How is the latest proposal different from what was proposed before?
The Government’s latest proposal has increased the number of entities and delayed the timeframe for the reforms.
Ten regional entities instead of four centralised ones
The Government increased the number of entities to make sure they’re more closely connected with the communities they serve. Ten entities rather than four means that every council, and therefore every community, is represented on the entities’ regional representative groups.
Entities would start operating in 2025-2026 instead of 2024
The new entities will now start operating in stages. All enitities will be operating by 1 July 2026. Originally they were going to start operating from 2024. Some entities may still be operational considerably sooner than 2026 if there are no organisational barriers to them becoming so.
How are these changes going to benefit my community?
The reforms are all about making sure we have drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services that are fit for the present and the future.
The current system can’t afford essential upgrades to water infrastructure
Under the current system, every council must manage its own water infrastructure separately. It’s worked for some communities better than others. But overall, the work required over coming decades is much bigger and more expensive than many councils can deal with. The projected cost to each ratepayer is unsustainable, and something must change.
The entities would let communities get the upgrades they need
The reforms aim to make infrastructure investment more affordable than it would be if it remained with councils. Each entity would be able to pool resources across multiple communities.
The communities would be able to get the most affordable and the most practical resources for delivering deliver water services in the future.
The upgrades are essential for communities to get safe and capable water services
Water problems need fixing across the whole country. The recent tragic weather events in Auckland are a poignant reminder that storm water infrastructure is incredibly important to get right. We also regularly see burst sewerage pipes, boiled water notices, and many other examples of issues with Aotearoa’s water infrastructure.
The reforms will provide drinking water that’s safe, of good quality, and understood as the taonga that it is. They will provide properly functioning wastewater and stormwater networks that don’t degrade our environment. We’ll be able to catch up on decades worth of under-investment across the country, and upgrade infrastructure so it can cope with challenges like the changing climate. And it will ensure that all our water infrastructure stays in public hands.
How are these changes going to benefit workers?
The reforms are an opportunity to build a system that gives workers the resources, support and scale to do their best work building high-quality infrastructure.
The entities will be big enough to provide better specialisation, training and career pathways
Bringing water services together under 10 larger Water Services Entities, instead of over 60 different councils and CCOs, allows for more specialisation and training and better career pathways. The Government predicts the reforms will add 6,000-9,000 more jobs in the sector over the next 30 years.
Will I have job security after the reforms?
Aotearoa needs people to build and maintain water infrastructure
For those working to physically build and maintain our water infrastructure – New Zealand needs more of you, not less. Your job should be secure.
Most people primarily delivering water services are guaranteed a similar job
You’ll be guaranteed a similar job in the new Water Services Entity in your area if the purpose, duties, and responsibilities of your current role are assessed as “primarily relating to, or primarily supporting, the delivery of water services.” If that’s the case, your job will be just as secure with your new employer as it is now.
This guarantee does not apply to senior managers.
If you’re not covered by the guarantee, DIA is trying to provide as much clarity as possible
If you’re not covered by the job guarantee, the details are less certain. However, we know that the National Transition Unit within DIA is trying to provide as much clarity as possible, as soon as possible, to individuals about their jobs.
Sign up to the National Transition Unit’s website for updates
We encourage you to sign up to the National Transition Unit’s website “The Staff Room” because it’s the best way to get clarity about exactly what the reforms will mean for your job.
Sign up to The Staff Room [link]
What will the terms and conditions of my work be after the changes happen?
That depends on what happens over coming months. Generally, union-negotiated collective agreements are of a higher standard and contain better conditions than individual agreements. That’s because there is bargaining strength in numbers, and unions have skilled teams behind them, as well as providing training and information to support negotiations.
Unions will negotiate collective agreements with the new entities
Throughout the reforms, unions have been talking to the Government to represent the interests of workers.
In coming months we’ll be negotiating new collective agreements with the new Water Services Entities and have already started early discussions with the National Transition Unit at DIA.
The stronger our unions are, and the more members there are standing together, the better the terms and conditions we’ll be able to win.
Most people’s current conditions are protected, but we want to get better conditions
If your job primarily relates to water services and you aren’t a senior manager, protections in legislation ensure your conditions aren’t any worse off. But we don’t want people to just be “no worse off.” This is an opportunity for improved working conditions across the industry. That’s what we are advocating for.
It is really important to make sure you are connected to the union and receiving their communications on the terms and conditions discussions and upcoming bargaining.
Will I lose work benefits that aren’t in my collective employment agreement?
We’ve heard a lot of questions from workers about benefits that are in workplace policies and not in collective agreements, like personal car use or localised shift arrangements or leave practices. The unions have not forgotten about these!
You may be able to keep personalised benefits
In some cases, it’s likely that individuals will carry over more personalised benefits, probably in their letter of offer. Unions will definitely be involved in the shaping of policies, and will be trying to embed as much as possible into collective agreements.
Contact your union and stay up to date on bargaining
If you are someone who holds a special work perk, it’s a good idea to check in with a union organiser or delegate through the coming months, and to check before signing any documents.
It is really important to make sure you are connected to the union and receiving their communications on the terms and conditions discussions and upcoming bargaining.
How and when will I find out what the reforms mean for my job?
The National Transition Unit at DIA is currently undertaking a “Position Review and Pathway Consultation.” This process is designed to determine which one of the three pathways into the Water Services Entities would apply to each affected person.
The National Transition Unit should contact you for consultation
The consultation process is happening in tranches throughout the country, so you may have heard from the National Transition Unit already.
The unit will give you its preliminary view on your path into the Water Service Entities
When you hear from the National Transition Unit, it will tell you its preliminary view on whether it thinks your job is solely, primarily or partly related to the delivery of water services.
The unit will tell you what your pathway would be based on its view – such as whether you’re guaranteed a role in the new Water Services Entity, or would get preferential consideration.
You can give feedback on its preliminary view, and the view can change
Note that this is not a letter of offer; this is just the unit’s preliminary view, and it’s a chance for you to tell it if you think it’s got it right.
Contact your union if you’re concerned
Talk to your local union delegate or email us if you’re concerned whether the unit will contact you, or you’re concerned about any information you’ve received from the unit.
What happens if the Government changes to one opposing the reforms?
The current Government intends to pass legislation to put the reforms into place before the 2023 general election.
A new government would have to pass new legislation to change the reforms
So, if a new Government wants to change to a different model before the new Water Services Entities start operating, it would need to pass new legislation.
The unions will work shape any new legislation in workers’ best interest
If a new Government does try to pass new legislation, we as unions will do everything we can represent workers’ interests in the legislative process and get the best outcomes we can.
What will be done by the Water Services Entities versus councils? Will there be more outsourcing?
We’re waiting for the Government to provide more information
We’re working hard to get the Government to clarify this. Council and contract workers who have all or part of their roles relating to wastewater, drinking water or stormwater will transition to the new entities. Workers in companies providing services, such as Infracol and Watercare, will transition to the new entities too. We need to wait and see for more information as further political decisions will likely follow.
How are the unions supporting workers through the reforms?
Water Workers is made up of the four national unions: E tū, the Public Service Association (PSA), the Amalgamated Workers Union NZ (AWUNZ), and the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA). We represent workers in the water services and infrastructure sector right across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We have come together to ensure that the Government’s water infrastructure reforms suit the needs of the affected workers, the wider community, and generations to come.
We’re making submissions, talking to Ministers, and working with the National Transition Unit
We do that in multiple ways: from making formal submissions on things like the legislation and the proposed transition guidelines, to talking to Ministers about the needs of workers, and working with the National Transition Unit make sure they understand the needs of workers in their planning of the new entities and the reform process.