Establishing Northland Waters

This phase focused 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 were developed, including a shareholders' agreement and constitution, before the organisation was incorporated as its own legal entity in May 2026.

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

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

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 began. 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.

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.

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 guided the establishment of the council-controlled organisation (CCO), considering the opportunities and impacts the changes may have on their respective districts, until the company was incorporated in May 2026.

After incorporation, a Shareholder Representatives Group was established to provide oversight of Northland Waters' establishment, go-live and beyond.

Members of the Shareholder Representatives Group include the following elected members and will appoint an independent chairperson at its first meeting:

• Far North Mayor Moko Tepania
• Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper
• Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen
• Far North District Councillor John Vujcich
• Whangārei District Councillor David Baldwin
• Kaipara District Councillor Luke Canton.

Alternate members of the Shareholder Representative Group include:

• Far North District Councillor Kelly Stratford
• Far North District Councillor Arohanui Allen
• Whangārei District Councillor Paul Yovich
• Whangārei District Councillor Deb Harding
• Kaipara District Councillor Gordon Lambeth
• Kaipara District Councillor Snow Tane.

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 served an interim advisory until the CCO became incorporated, after which it became 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.

Northland Waters Board members include:

Murray Bain (Chair)

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.

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. 

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.

In September 2025, Whangarei 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 the company became incorporated.

During his secondment, Mr Carvell was 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.

Following incorporation of Northland Waters, a Chief Executive can be appointed and implementation transitions from being delivered by a small group of staff from each council to a dedicated team of establishment workstream leads.

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