Affordable water still has bad aspects...

Re: ‘Major changes to our affordable water reforms' Angie Warren-Clark's column From the Beehive, The Weekend Sun, April 21.

Angie does not mention that the worst aspects of the proposed legislation remain. Each Regional Representation Group will still consist of equal numbers of elected Local Government members and people appointed by iwi.

She has also failed to mention that the entities will be required to comply with Te Mana o Te Wai statements, as prescribed in legislation at Part 4, Subpart 4 of the Water Services Entities Act (2022).

During the first reading of the Water Services Entities Bill on June 9, 2022, the former Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta said that the statements are binding on the four Water Services Entities: 'The bill contains robust mechanisms to provide for and promote iwi Māori rights and interests. Mana whenua whose rohe or takiwā [tribal area] includes a freshwater body can make a Te Mana o te Wai statement for water services which the board must give effect to”. See: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220609_20220609_20

There is nothing in the legislation to restrict the scope of these statements.

Keith Hay, chairman, Katikati-Waihi Beach Residents and Ratepayers Association.

1 comment

Look!

Posted on 13-05-2023 20:36 | By Shadow1

No point in debating either of the two plans. Let’s face it, any version of 3waters is a crock. Why are we spending millions on a plan which, if you look at all the government has achieved this term, will fail miserably. There is nothing wrong with the way most councils deliver water services and the ones that struggle are mostly too small to pay for better systems. These are the ones government should be helping. Shadow1.


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