Establishing Northland Waters

Whau Valley Dam showing calm green water winding through a narrow valley, surrounded by dense native forest under a partly cloudy sky.

Northland Waters will be established in accordance with its water service delivery plan, aiming to have everything in place for a smooth transition into service delivery by July 2027.

Establishment focuses on preparing the organisation to deliver water services that reflect the needs and expectations of Northland communities, while developing the foundations for responsible investment and long term financial sustainability.

As part of its establishment, Northland Waters is being set up as a single, integrated regional entity, with the people, systems, processes and relationships in place to support consistent, efficient and equitable service delivery.

This includes preparing for safe, compliant operations and a resilient water network that can support Northland's future growth and development.

Establishment phases

The establishment timeline for the new water services entity is structured in three phases, with gradual transition periods between each stage.

Scoping and preparation phase: September to May 2025

This phase focuses on establishing the governance and operational foundation needed for the successful implementation of the council-controlled organisation (CCO).

During this phase, several key foundation documents are developed, including a shareholder's agreement and constitution, before the organisation is incorporated as its own legal entity in May 2026.

An establishment plan for Phase 2 is also developed during this phase, setting out the approach for standing up Northland Waters.

Strong governance and leadership are appointed during this phase to undertake detailed planning in phase 2 and enable the successful implementation of Northland Waters.

Establishment and transition phase: May 2026 to July 2027

This phase aims to set up the water organisation so that it is fully prepared to assume service delivery and responsibilities by July 2027.

During this phase, transitional and operational activities required to establish a standalone business begin. This includes:

development of a water services strategy
transfer agreements
budget
policies and procedures for asset management
capital delivery
systems and technology
operations
funding
financing
governance
legal and risk management.

Councils also prepare to continue the delivery of non-water services.

Go-live and operational phase: commences July 2027

This phase aims to commence the delivery of water services under Northland Waters from 1 July 2027.

It marks the full transition of service delivery responsibilities to the newly established council-controlled organisation (CCO) as an independent entity with its own governance and operational teams.

While some transition activities may still be required, the structure will take a form that supports business as usual operation.

Governance and leadership

The establishment of Northland Waters is being guided by a coordinated governance and leadership framework to support effective oversight, decision‑making and a successful transition into service delivery.

This includes leadership from elected members, independent advisers and an experienced establishment team working together to ensure the organisation is well prepared for incorporation and ongoing operations.

Elected members governance

Collaboration between Northland's district councils for Local Water Done Well began in early 2025 with the establishment of a cross council working group of elected members to consider options for working together across councils.

The group included the mayor and two elected members from each council, and was reformed as the Elected Members Steering Group in December 2025 following local government elections. It is supported by council staff, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), and an independent adviser.

The Elected Members Steering Group guides the establishment of the council-controlled organisation (CCO) and considers the opportunities and impacts the changes may have on their respective districts.

Upon the organisation's incorporation in May 2026, a Shareholder Representatives Group will be established to provide oversight of Northland Waters' establishment, go-live and beyond.

Elected members of the steering group include:

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper (Chair)
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania
Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen
Far North District Councillor Ann Court
Far North District Councillor John Vujcich
Whangārei District Councillor Deb Harding
Whangārei District Councillor Paul Yovich
Kaipara District Councillor Craig Jepson
Kaipara District Councillor Rachael Williams.

Interim advisory and the Northland Waters board

In December 2025, a highly qualified team of five was appointed to provide independent assurance and professional advice to elected members and implementation teams for the establishment of the council-controlled organisation (CCO).

The Establishment Advisory Group serves an interim advisory until the CCO becomes incorporated, after which it will become the first board of Northland Waters.

Together, the members bring a wealth of experience in leadership, governance, water infrastructure, law and finance, along with comprehensive knowledge of local government.

The Establishment Advisory Group members include:

David Rankin: Former Chief Executive at Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Chief Executive at Auckland City Council.
Steve Couper: Chief Digital Officer, Asia Pacific, New Zealand and Australia at Mott MacDonald, former President and board member at Water New Zealand, and fellow of Engineering New Zealand.
Murray Bain: Chair at Electra Ltd, member of Water Services Delivery Plans Review Panel for the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), former Chair for the Northland and Auckland Water Services Entity Establishment Board.
Michael Sage: Specialist water and infrastructure lawyer, Chair of New Plymouth District Council's Water Services CCO, member of Gisborne District Council's Water Services Committee, former Simpson Grierson Partner advising Watercare, Metrowater, Manukau Water and councils nationwide.
Marlon Bridge: Chief Technical Adviser on Government's Local Water Done Well reforms, former Deputy Chief Executive at Watercare and Chief Financial Officer at Manukau Water Ltd, and Chief Financial Officer at Watercare.

Leadership and establishment team

In September 2025, Whangārei District Council's General Manager for Waters, Andrew Carvell, was seconded to lead the first phase of the council controlled organisation's (CCO) implementation until a Chief Executive is appointed following incorporation.

During his secondment, Mr Carvell is responsible for putting in place governance and implementation leadership arrangements, developing the CCO's guiding frameworks and preparing detailed plans to support a successful establishment.

As Northland Waters approaches incorporation, implementation will transition from being delivered by a small group of staff from each council to a dedicated team of establishment workstream leads. Once incorporated, a Chief Executive will be appointed by the Board.

By the end of Phase 2, Northland Waters' workforce will be in place and ready to perform their functions.