Council, with reservations, accepts appointment of Crown Facilitator
Published on 04 November 2025
Focus on resolving asset review issues swiftly to reduce cost for ratepayers.
At today’s meeting of the Waitaki District Council, the Mayor and Councillors agreed to accept the Minister for Local Government’s proposal to appoint the Hon Amy Adams as a Crown Facilitator for water, with some reservations.
These included concerns that the notification of the appointment was given before the newly formed Council was inaugurated, could meet formally and consider the letter of 6 October. It notes Council has worked in good faith with the DIA and has started work on achieving an amended compliant WSDP.
It also asked that the formal appointment of the Hon Amy Adams is carried out as expediently as practicable so Council can commence work to achieve a compliant plan.
The DIA analysis of Council’s WSDP found the majority, 39 of 42 categories, met the legislative requirements. A single category regarding asset condition information was assessed as “may not meet the legislative requirements” with 2 “for discussion” by the panel, and a further 3 meeting requirements “subject to discussion.”
This analysis will be published by the DIA as indicated by Secretary for Local Government Paul James in his October 6 letter. Council does not know when the DIA will be publishing the analysis at this time.
Waitaki District Mayor Melanie Tavendale said: “I have spoken to Minister Watts and made it clear that our commitment to our community is to ensure affordable, sustainable water services and infrastructure for them. We are a small council, but we know our community and infrastructure and strongly feel we need to be a guiding part of the solution.”
“We will endeavour to provide the DIA with information to meet the requirements quickly, to reduce the cost of the Crown Facilitator being borne by our ratepayers. However, I look forward to working positively and constructively with the Hon Amy Adams, and appreciate the expertise she will bring”
Chief Executive Alex Parmley said, ”Our officers are working on bringing the asset review proposal to the next meeting of Council. If carried out, this should resolve the one part of the plan which the DIA panel judged not to meet the legislative requirements”
“Former National MP and lawyer the Hon Amy Adams has been put forward as the facilitator, and we look forward to working with her to develop a compliant plan.”
A letter to the Minister for Local Government, Simon Watts, will be sent before Wednesday 5 November.
The Mayor and Councillors also agreed to bring forward an analysis of water asset condition to be provided within existing resources and consider the funding and resources for meeting the DIA’s requirements within one month.
A further report to Council will detail next steps and funding requirements to create a compliant plan.
ENDS
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