Waikato Waters Limited is a shared, locally led approach to delivering water services across the Waikato region. It brings councils, iwi and communities together to care for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater in a way that is safe, sustainable and grounded in place.
At the heart of Waikato Waters is a simple idea - when we care for our wai, we care for our people and our whenua. Water is a precious taonga, and our role is to protect it for today and for generations to come.
Waikato Waters is a joint council-controlled organisation, guided by Te Mana o Te Wai, Te Mana o Te Tangata - healthy water, healthy people. Our model meets the Government’s Local Water Done Well requirements while keeping decision-making close to home.
He waka eke noa - we are all in this together.
All water assets remain in public ownership and cannot be sold or privatised. Our water, infrastructure and decision-making stay with our communities. Public ownership means every dollar is reinvested into improving services, strengthening resilience and protecting the environment.
Our story began in 2023, when councils and iwi across the Waikato came together through kōrero and collaboration to shape a new way forward. Waikato-Tainui, Pare Hauraki, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Raukawa and Te Arawa each brought mātauranga Māori, kaitiakitanga and local knowledge to help form the foundations of Waikato Waters.
E rere kau mai te awa nui nei, mai i te kāhui maunga ki Tangaroa. Ko Waikato te awa, he piko he taniwha.
Our vision is simple: local voices, local delivery, local care - done well for the Waikato.
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