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Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season. We’ll be closing our office on December 23 and opening on January 9. Look forward to seeing you again in 2023.

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Latest Updates

Thank you and have a merry festive season!

2022 has certainly been a busy, eventful and challenging year at Water New Zealand. We’ve had some great events and thanks to all the hard work and support of so many of our members, friends and supporters, we’ve made great progress in many areas.

Our membership has grown to record levels and this year we had a further 700 people enrol in our digital badge training opportunities. 2022 was the year we all got back together.  As well as our annual Stormwater Conference, we finally held our Covid-delayed 2021 Conference in May, then in October we gathered again for the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo 2022 – another attendance record breaking event!

As well, the water reforms and consequent consultation processes kept us and many of our members extremely busy, while our special interest groups worked hard on so many vitally important issues facing our water environment. We also launched our new podcast series, Tāwara o te Wai - so if you haven't had a chance to listen yet, you can catch up while relaxing on the beaches this summer.   

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2023 – set to be another busy eventful year.

So from all of us at Water New Zealand, we wish you a very relaxing and happy festive season. Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia


Latest water reform bills open for submissions

The two new bills paving the way for the setting up of the new water services entities are now open for submissions.

The Water Services Legislation Bill and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill passed their First Readings in Parliament last week.

The deadline for submissions is 12 February 2023 though local government has been given a further five days extension, until 17 February.

Read the supporting documents:

 Water Services Legislation Bill - two cabinet papers - Introduction and Minutes and Pricing and Charging for Three Waters services and background summaries 

Water Services Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill  - legislative statement and Cabinet Papers and Regulatory Impact Statements.

If you are a Water New Zealand member and would like to be involved in, or contribute to, our submissions you can contact Nicci.Wood@waternz.org.nz 

Draft Transfer Principles - survey

The National Transition Unit is keen to hear the views of the sector on the transfer of assets and liabilities, in particular unanswered questions and other matters not covered by the principles. 

See the Draft Transfer Principles and survey link

Comments on the Water Services Legislation Bill are best directed to the Select Committee but there is also an opportunity to provide feed back through a short survey. 


Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill

Submissions on the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill close on 3 February 2023.

This bill seeks to provide clarity and certainty for local authorities on provisions of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and make changes to the natural hazard information provided in Land Information Memoranda (LIMs).



Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts for the Stormwater Conference & Expo 2023 will close at 5pm on Tuesday, 31 January.

We’re inviting water professionals and anyone with an interest in stormwater, to submit an abstract proposal that presents a challenging and practical perspective.

Find out more



Call for abstracts

Abstracts for the Modelling Symposium close at 5pm on Tuesday, 31 January.

We are calling for abstracts on a number of themes as well as a 'wildcard' entry, so take a look at the options available.

Find out more

Essential Freshwater updates

The Government has updated the Essential Freshwater 2020 regulations to support their effective implementation, and in response to consultation feedback.

Find out more


Taumata Arowai Advisory Group

Taumata Arowai is seeking nominations for Te Puna, the Māori Advisory Group. The group will advise Taumata Arowai on Māori interests and knowledge.

The advisory group will develop and maintain a framework to guide Taumata Arowai on how to interpret and give effect to Te Mana o te Wai and will also advise Taumata Arowai on how to enable mātauranga and tikanga Māori through its work.

Nominations, including a completed nomination form and curriculum vitae, should be emailed to ta.appointments@dia.govt.nz by 5 pm on 31 January.

Information sheet  

Nomination form


Understanding workforce challenges

The Ministry of Social Development is developing initiatives and strategic partnerships to identify the skills employers need from new employees, and to provide upskill programmes and services through sustainable employment.

As part of this, Industry Partnerships has developed a survey to find out how to better assist businesses with their workforce challenges. Responses are anonymous and only summarised information will be published.

The survey will be open till 24 December and should take no more than five minutes. You can also email the ministry for more information.


Spatial Planning Bill and Natural & Built Environment Bill

These two Bills have been referred to the Environment Committee. Submissions are due by 30 January 2023. Water New Zealand will be making a submission. If you would like to be involved, please contact Nicci.Wood@waternz.org.nz

Find the Spatial Planning Bill here.

Find the Natural & Built Environment Bill here.

Industry News


Chlorine removal at least five years away for nearly half of Christchurch

Chlorine will not be removed from a large chunk of Christchurch’s water for at least five years, according to a new report.

Read more

Meanwhile temporary chlorination will continue throughout most of Selwyn – including in Rolleston, Lincoln and Darfield – after a bid to halt it failed.

Read the Stuff report

Rotorua wastewater treatment plant upgrade starts

Work has started on a $60 million upgrade of the Rotorua Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

Read more


Water Mission to Gauge Alaskan Rivers on Front Lines of Climate Change

An upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission will provide a trove of data on Earth’s water resources, even in remote locations.

Read more


Don’t spoil your holidays through water borne illnesses

New Zealanders are being urged to check to ensure that their water is safe to drink this summer.

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe says as we head off on our holidays, it’s important to remember to take precautions to ensure that the water at our destination is safe to drink.

Read our media release

Council executive who gave $7m sewage plant contract to cake decorator guilty of corruption

A former council executive who arranged for a $7 million sewage plant contract to be awarded to a cake decorator has been found guilty of corruption.

Read more 


Solving one piece of the freshwater restoration puzzle at a time

How are land managers motivated to record and report their land management actions? A new paper from the Register of Land Management Actions project identifies collective engagement, efficient farm management and social norms as key drivers.

Read more


Hastings District Council installs 2000 smart water meters

Hastings District Council (HDC) is installing 2000 smart water meters across Hastings to help gain a better understanding of water use across the district.

Read  more

 

Upcoming Events

ANZBP National Biosolids Conference 2023

8 - 9 Feb | 8.30 am - 5.30 pm

Sydney

The biennial Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership's National Biosolids Conference is returning to Sydney in 2023, with the theme Champions for Sustainability. Held over two days, this conference will examine key developments in the industry with a focus on the role of industry, regulators and community as champions for sustainable biosolids management and end-use.

Find out more


Taumata Arowai Update

15 February | 11 am - 12 pm

In this webinar, Taumata Arowai will cover Drinking Water Safety Plans, exemptions, incidents and responses plus time for questions and answers.

Panelists include Allan Prangnell, incoming Taumata Arowai CE, Noah Hensley, Senior Technical Advisor, Melinda Sando, Regulatory Services Manager and Rachel East, Regulatory Team Leader Dunedin.

Find out more and register


Backflow Conference 2023 - Save the Date

1 - 2 August 

Auckland 

We have confirmed the date and venue for the Backflow Conference 2023.  It will be at the Parnell Hotel and Conference Centre on 1-2 August.  So save the date and we'll bring you more details in the New Year.  

Drinking Water 101 Digital Badge

30 January - 27 February

Find out more and register


Stormwater 101 Digital Badge

1 February - 1 March 2023

Find out more and register


Wastewater 101 Digital Badge

8 February - 8 March

Find out more

Small Water Supplies 101 Digital Badge

1 February - 1 March

Find out more and register


Drinking Water 201 Digital Badge

6 February - 6 March

Find out more



Backflow 101 Digital Badge

8 February - 8 March 

Find out more

View all events >

Job Vacancies

Wellington Water

Technical Advisor Drainage Wellington (South)

As a Customer Technical Advisor you will provide day-to-day technical and operational support to the Customer Planning Engineer.

Applications close: 15 January 2023

Find out more

Waitaki District Council

Project Engineer - Water Services Team

In this role you will be responsible for supporting the efficient and effective delivery of capital projects for water, wastewater and stormwater to sustain and improve our community's quality of life.

Applications close: no closing date

Find out more

View all Jobs >