Now law (2024–25)

Local Water Done Well (Three Waters repeal)

Reverses the previous Labour government’s Three Waters reforms, which would have moved drinking water, wastewater and stormwater into a small number of large, centralised entities. In its place, the coalition’s “Local Water Done Well” keeps water assets in council ownership and control, while requiring councils to show their water services are financially sustainable.

Its journey through Parliament

14 Feb 2024

Labour’s Three Waters laws repealed under urgency

Mid 2024

First Local Water Done Well law enacted (preliminary arrangements)

Dec 2024 – mid 2025

Second law sets up the enduring council-led framework

What it does

Repealed Labour’s Three Waters / Affordable Water legislation — done first, under urgency, as part of the government’s 100-day plan.

Keeps ownership and control of water assets with local councils, rather than centralised entities.

Lets councils voluntarily set up or join council-controlled organisations and work together, so they can separate water debt from their balance sheets and borrow for infrastructure — but it’s optional, not mandatory.

Requires councils to show their water services meet financial-sustainability and water-quality rules.

Why it defined this election

Reverses a major reform; how councils fund and deliver water — and pay for it — remains a live issue.

Public response

Most councils had opposed Labour’s centralised model, and the government framed the change as restoring local control. The repeal and replacement were opposed by Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, who argued a centralised model was needed to fund major water upgrades and lift water quality.

Who championed it

National-led government; Local Government Minister Simeon Brown.

Where it landed

Now law. Three Waters is repealed and the Local Water Done Well framework is in place; councils are now working through how to deliver and fund water services under it.

Verify at the official source — legislation.govt.nz

Sources

Beehive — Labour’s Three Waters legislation repealed Beehive — Government to repeal Three Waters legislation RNZ — Three Waters repeal coverage

Neutral summary, January 2026 knowledge cut-off — confirm any later changes at the official source. Arapono does not take a side.