Our timeline and milestones
Read about when we were established and other important dates in our history.
We took over from the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora as the drinking water regulator on 15 November 2021.
From 4 October 2023, we took on wider responsibilities for the environmental performance of public wastewater and stormwater networks, extending our role to the full range of water services.
December 2019
The Bill was introduced to the House.
1 March 2021
The Act took effect through an Order in Council and Taumata Arowai became a Crown entity. The Act sets out our objectives and functions, and allows for our board and Māori Advisory Group to be established.
28 July 2020
The Water Services Billoutbound was introduced into the House.
1 March 2021
Taumata Arowai became a Crown entity through the Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act Commencement Order 2021outbound.
4 October 2021
The Water Services Bill is granted Royal Assent to become law as the Water Services Act 2021outbound.
15 November 2021
Taumata Arowai became the water services regulator for Aotearoa.
17 January 2022
The first set of documents released for public consultation to help inform our regulatory approach under the Water Services Act 2021outbound
14 November 2022
New Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules, Drinking Water Standards, Aesthetic Values and Acceptable Solutions came into effect.
4 October 2023
Our role in relation to wastewater and stormwater begins as the remaining provisions of the Water Services Act 2021outbound commence.
Papers and reports on our establishment
Cabinet papers and minutes
Department of Internal Affairs website:
- Cabinet paper and minute – Approval of the Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act Commencement Order 2021, 18 February 2021 (PDF 1MB)outbound
- Cabinet paper and minute – Water Services Regulator Bill: approval for introduction, December 2019 (PDF 830 KB)outbound
- Cabinet paper and minute – Institutional arrangements for a drinking water regulator, September 2019 (PDF 8.8 MB)outbound
- Regulatory impact assessment – Decision on the organisational form of a new drinking water regulator, September 2019 (PDF 5.7 MB)outbound
- Business case – A new drinking water regulator, August 2019 (PDF 1.3 MB)outbound
- Cabinet paper, minute, and regulatory impact assessment – Strengthening the regulation of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, July 2019 (PDF 11 MB)outbound
Ministry of Health website:
Whānau, hapū and iwi Māori engagement
Department of Internal Affairs website:
- Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi and Māori pre-workshop introductory webinar slide pack (PDF 661 KB)outbound
- Minister Mahuta’s Speech Notes – 15 September (PDF 165 KB)outbound
- Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi and Māori hui a motu A3 (PDF 6 MB)outbound
- Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi and Māori pre-workshop Water Services Bill webinar slide pack – 17 September 2020 (PDF 423 KB)outbound
- Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi/Māori pre-workshop introductory webinar recording (YouTube video)outbound