Wātaka me ngā tohu nui,
Timeline and milestones

Our role in relation to wastewater and stormwater begins as the remaining provisions of the Water Services Act 2021 commence.

New Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules, Drinking Water Standards, Aesthetic Values and Acceptable Solutions came into effect.

The first set of documents released for public consultation - to help inform our regulatory approach under the Water Services Act 2021

Taumata Arowai became the water services regulator for Aotearoa.

The Water Services Bill is granted Royal Assent to become law as the Water Services Act 2021.  

The Water Services Bill progressed through its third reading.

The Water Services Bill progressed through its second reading.

The Select Committee reported back on the Water Services Bill.

Submissions on the Water Services Bill to the Select Committee closed.

Taumata Arowai became a Crown entity through the Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act Commencement Order 2021. 

The Water Services Bill has its first reading.

The Water Services Bill was introduced into the House. 

Timeline of the Taumata Arowai–the Water Services Regulator Act 2020 (the Act):

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.

July 2020 – the Act was passed.

June 2020 – the Select Committee reported back to the House.

December 2019 to June 2020 – the Select Committee considered the Bill.

December 2019 – the Bill was introduced to the House.

Papers and reports on the establishment of Taumata Arowai

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)
• Cabinet paper and minute – Water Services Regulator Bill: approval for introduction, December 2019 (PDF 830 KB)
• Cabinet paper and minute – Institutional arrangements for a drinking water regulator, September 2019 (PDF 8.8 MB)
• Regulatory impact assessment – Decision on the organisational form of a new drinking water regulator, September 2019 (PDF 5.7 MB)
• Business case – A new drinking water regulator, August 2019 (PDF 1.3 MB)
• Cabinet paper, minute, and regulatory impact assessment – Strengthening the regulation of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, July 2019 (PDF 11 MB)

Ministry of Health website:

• Cabinet paper – Government response to Havelock North drinking water inquiry (PDF 482 KB)
• Appendices – Government response to Havelock North stage two report (PDF 3.1 MB)
• Cabinet minute – Government response to Havelock North drinking water inquiry (PDF 291 KB) 

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)
• Minister Mahuta’s Speech Notes – 15 September (PDF 165 KB)
• Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi and Māori hui a motu A3 (PDF 6 MB)
• Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi and Māori pre-workshop Water Services Bill webinar slide pack – 17 September 2020 (PDF 423 KB)
• Taumata Arowai and Three Waters Reform Programme iwi/Māori pre-workshop introductory webinar recording (YouTube video)

Reports

Beca report – Cost estimates for upgrading water treatment plants to meet potential changes to the New Zealand drinking water standards, March 2018 (PDF 6 MB)