Minister notifies appointment of Crown Facilitator

Published on 21 October 2025

Proposed appointment to support amendment and resubmission of District’s Water Services Delivery Plan

Waitaki District Council has received a letter from the Minister for Local Government, Simon Watts, notifying his intention to appoint a Crown Facilitator to assist and support Council in developing its amended Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP).

The appointment of a facilitator was one of the options outlined by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James, in his letter to Council on 7 October, rejecting Council’s original WSDP.

Mayor-elect Melanie Tavendale said: “I’d like to thank the Minister for offering support for delivering an amended Water Services Delivery Plan for the Waitaki District.

As a newly elected Council, we have the same aim as the Government – to deliver affordable, sustainable storm, waste and drinking water services to our community. Once we are sworn in on Wednesday, we will seek to discuss the pathway forward and respond to Minister Watts”

Chief Executive Alex Parmley said: “Waitaki District Council has worked closely with the Department of Internal Affairs over the last twelve months in developing its options for the future of water services. We will await direction from our newly elected Council on our next steps.”

The letter from the Minister requests a response from Waitaki District Council by Wednesday 5 November, 2025.

The first meeting of the newly elected Waitaki District Council is Tuesday, 4 November.

Letter from Minister Watts to Council 21 October 2025(PDF, 205KB)

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz