Our strategy and performance
How we plan to meet the Minister of Local Government’s expectations, our legislative obligations and work with the water services sector.
Our Minister and Letter of Expectations
The responsible Minister for the Water Services Authority ‒ Taumata Arowai is the Minister of Local Government.
The Department of Internal Affairs is the Government’s monitoring agency for the Water Services Authority ‒ Taumata Arowai.
The role of the Minister is to oversee and manage the Crown's interest in, and relationship with, the Water Services Authority ‒ Taumata Arowai, and to exercise any statutory responsibilities.
Each year, our responsible Minister sets out what the Authority is expected to deliver during the year and the way that we should deliver it.
Our strategic framework
The Water Services Authority ‒ Taumata Arowai regulates water services on behalf of people in New Zealand. Our initial responsibility for safe and sufficient drinking water was expanded in October 2023 to also include the environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater networks.
In 2024 the Authority renewed its strategic framework to reflect these expanded responsibilities. Our strategic framework is focused on achieving our long-term vision, which is to have safe water every day for everyone | kia tiakina te wai, hei oranga mō te katoa.
The Water Services Authority ‒ Taumata Arowai Strategic Framework
Statement of Intent and Statement of Performance Expectations
Our Statement of Intent is a four-year, medium-term strategic plan.
Our Statement of Performance Expectations is a detailed one-year plan, including performance indicators and budget projections.
These accountability documents are required of all Crown entities.
Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy
Our Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy 2025-28 is a three-year action plan for how we will regulate drinking water safety.
It includes clear expectations for three supplier groups – tailored to their size and risk level – so that all suppliers have certainty about what we’re focused on.
Find out more about our Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy 2025-28
Past CME strategies
Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Strategy 2022-2025
Annual Report
Our Annual Report is prepared for the financial year and evaluates whether we have met our performance indicators and budget projections in the Statement of Performance Expectations.