Te Poari Whakatū | Establishment Board
Elena Trout
Chair
Elena is a civil engineer and experienced company director with leadership roles across transport, infrastructure, and energy. She serves on boards such as Citycare, EECA, LGFA, WorkSafe, and Contact Energy. Elena is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering NZ.
Jaydene Kana
Director (Waikato)
Ko Taupiri me Orangiwhao ngā maunga, ko Waikato te awa, ko Tahaaroa ngā roto, ko Tainui te waka, ko Waikato te Iwi, ko Ngāti Mahuta te hapū, ko Te Kōraha te marae. Jaydene brings extensive experience in governance, finance, and Iwi leadership, serving across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Her focus is ensuring that te ao Māori and community perspectives guide decision-making and uphold the mana of our region.
Jon Lamonte
Director
Jon has significant experience in water and transport, including CEO roles at Watercare, the Auckland/Northland Water Services Entity, Sydney Metro, and Transport for Greater Manchester. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a former Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
The Board was appointed by the Shareholder Representative Forum (SRF) on behalf of the partner councils.
The Board was appointed by the Shareholder Representative Forum (SRF) on behalf of the partner councils.
Ngā Kaunihera Tōpū | Shareholding Councils
Hauraki • Matamata-Piako • Ōtorohanga • South Waikato • Taupō • Waipā • Waitomo
Together, these councils own Waikato Waters on behalf of their communities. Each retains oversight and shares responsibility for ensuring water services are delivered locally, sustainably, and transparently.
Each council continues to have a voice in how Waikato Waters operates, ensuring local democracy and regional collaboration go hand-in-hand.
Te Whakatikatika a ngā Kaunihera Tōpū | Shareholders’ Agreement
The Shareholders’ Agreement defines how councils work together, how decisions are made, how disputes are resolved, and how transparency and accountability are maintained. It is built on principles of fairness, cooperation, and shared responsibility, honouring the intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the aspirations of our communities.
Te Tū Rangatiratanga ā-Rohe | Public ownership and stewardship
Every pipe, pump station, and treatment plant managed by Waikato Waters is publicly owned. None can ever be sold, privatised, or transferred to overseas ownership. Our water infrastructure exists for one purpose, to serve the people of the Waikato and protect our natural taonga for future generations.
This commitment is permanent and non-negotiable. Public ownership of water assets is a cornerstone of Waikato Waters and is protected by both law and principle.
Ngā Hononga ki ngā Iwi | Partnership with Iwi and Mana Whenua
We are guided by our relationships with Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto, Raukawa, and Ngāti Hauā and with the many hapū and marae that connect to these Iwi across the region.
Together, we uphold Te Mana o Te Wai, recognising that the wellbeing of our people depends on the wellbeing of our waters.
This partnership ensures that mātauranga Māori sits alongside science, that tikanga guides our processes and that every decision reflects both environmental and cultural responsibility.
“Wai is life, when we protect the water, we protect the people.”
– Joint statement from the Waikato Iwi Chairs Forum, 2024