Mayor David Moore, pictured, and Ōpōtiki District Council chief executive Stace Lewer met with mayors and chief executives from Kawerau, Rotorua Lakes and Whakatāne district councils this week to investigate shared water services.

Councils across New Zealand have been required to investigate shared water services under the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation.

The four councils signed a heads of agreement in December to work together to investigate the next best steps forward for community water services in the Eastern Bay and Rotorua.

Kawerau hosted the most recent meeting of the Joint Waters Working Group, which included mayors, chief executives, councillors and technical experts from the four councils on Tuesday.

At the meeting they set the framework for a formal report being prepared for later in 2026.

The report will outline the long term financial and non-financial savings and costs, levels of service, resilience and sustainability and capability that would be associated with any potential move to a shared water entity.

Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui said it was a valuable opportunity to continue the discussions on water services between the neighbouring councils.

“What was reiterated by the four councils is this is an investigation, not a decision.

“We are committed to keeping everyone up-to-date and will continue to have more in-depth conversations with our communities and iwi partners over the coming months,” Mrs Tunui said.