Waikato Three Waters Strategy

The Future Proof partners developed a Sub-Regional Three Waters Strategy in 2012 to set out how water, wastewater and stormwater will be managed over a 50 year period. Building on the direction of Future Proof, the Three Waters Strategy sets a long term strategic vision for three waters in the sub-region.

The vision of the Three Waters Strategy is:

The delivery of integrated, sustainable and well managed three waters services for the sub-region which ensures the cultural, social and economic needs of the community are met and the quality of the Waikato River is improved. 

The following nine strategic issues have been identified in the Strategy:

  1. Ensuring the protection and improvement of public health and safety, and providing appropriate water sanitary services and hazard management practices.
  2. Meeting future anticipated and planned for growth demands.
  3. Planning for and adapting to climate change.
  4. Ensuring that decisions relating to the three waters are underpinned by best practice, research and knowledge.
  5. Ensuring quality, efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
  6. The need for integration of relevant council functions, inter-council departments, the three waters, and land use and water planning and management. 
  7. The availability and allocation of water.
  8. Ensuring that iwi and hapu are involved in the management of three waters and tangata whenua values, aspirations and interests are identified and reflected.
  9. Ensuring protection and where possible the enhancement of the natural environment

The strategy

The Strategy will be updated in the near future to align with the outcomes of the Hamilton to Auckland Corridor Plan.

 

Read the Sub-Regional Three Waters Strategy

The Action Plan

An Action Plan has also been developed to set out how the Three Waters Strategy will be implemented. The Action Plan is monitored by the Future Proof partners to see how the actions are progressing.

 

Read the Action Plan [PDF, 1002 KB]

Sub-Regional Three Waters Strategy Review

The Future Proof partners developed a Sub-Regional Three Waters Strategy in 2012 to set out the vision for how water, wastewater and stormwater will be managed over a 50 year period.

More than 10 years on, the document is undergoing a review to make sure it reflects the needs of today. Changes since the original strategy was developed include:

  • The criticality of addressing climate change and ensuring the climate resilience of communities.
  • The maturing of Tangata Whenua partnerships and embedding of Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato.
  • Changes in the regulatory landscape for water management and services, and new Council Controlled Organisations being set up to manager water services.
  • The expansion of the Future Proof partnership to include Matamata Piako District Council which exists in the catchments of the Waihou and Piako rivers and relevant aspects of the Hauraki Collective treaty settlement.

Accounting for these shifts, anticipated growth and the affordability challenge will mean thinking about water more widely than what is in pipes and treatment plants - the physical infrastructure commonly associated with the term ‘three waters’. We also need to think about how water is handled in urban planning and as part of blue-green networks (an urban planning approach that integrates water management and vegetation or green space to create healthier, more sustainable environments).

 

The purpose of the Strategy

The revised Strategy will confirm how Future Proof partners expect water services to be provided in the sub-region in order to give effect to agreed water management outcomes.

The review is not looking at institutional arrangements for water services, infrastructure funding and financing etc. This is already being addressed through the establishment of new water CCOs. Nor is it intended to set long-term objectives for river and catchment health as this is directed by Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato within the Waipā and Waikato river catchments.

Timing

We’re expecting to have a draft strategy ready for targeted consultation at the start of 2026, with full public consultation in mid 2026.