Tā mātou pakihi
Our organisation
We’re New Zealand’s largest water utility, supplying safe water to Auckland’s communities and treating their wastewater.
Who we serve
We provide water and wastewater services to 1.7 million people in the Auckland region. In Papakura, we provide bulk services to Veolia Water, which manages the local community’s network and retail services. Our testing facilities, Watercare Laboratory Services, monitor and test drinking water and wastewater for over a third of New Zealand’s population.
Suppliers and contractors
Supply chain, procurement, purchasing and payment information for suppliers, contractors and consultants.
Contractor health, safety and wellbeing info
Health, safety, wellbeing and induction information for contractors.
Customer promise and contract
Understand what you can expect from us and how our customer contract works.
How we’re managed
Our board of directors and executives are committed to ensuring the company applies best-practice policies and procedures.
The board is ultimately responsible for governance decisions. They have a broad range of business and leadership experience, with a particular focus on infrastructure and utilities.
Our executive leadership makes the day-to-day decisions. They’re a mixture of technical engineers, business leaders and people management experts. They guide the work for our team of Watercare staff, who ensure we maintain great service to you.
How we’re funded
We do not receive any funding from Auckland Council or the government, nor do we pay a dividend to Auckland Council. All the money we receive from customers goes into operating, maintaining and expanding our networks of pipes, treatment plants, pump stations and other infrastructure.
Who works at Watercare?
We employ a diverse range of people to deliver our goal of safe, reliable and efficient water and wastewater service for our customers. They work in various roles across our business: from engineering to science, operations, communications and customer service.
Our teams work across Tāmaki Makaurau, from our Newmarket head office to the laboratory, water and wastewater treatment plants, and in the community.
What kind of organisation is Watercare?
Watercare Services Limited is a council-controlled organisation under the Local Government Act 2002, wholly owned by Auckland Council. We are also a limited liability company registered under the Companies Act 1993.
We’re subject to public health, environmental and economic regulation. Our principal regulators include Auckland Council, the Commerce Commission, Waikato Regional Council, the Ministry of Health and Taumata Arowai.
Read our guiding legislation
Read our guiding legislation
Legislative Framework The legislative framework enabling and governing our operations as the provider of water and wastewater services in Auckland is found largely in the following:
We manage our operations in accordance with New Zealand law, under a regulatory and legislative framework specific to Watercare and other water services entities.
Under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, we are required to manage our operations efficiently with a view to keeping the overall costs of water supply and wastewater services to our customers (collectively) at the minimum levels consistent with the effective conduct of our undertakings and the maintenance of the long-term integrity of our assets.
In addition to the requirements above, the legislative framework provides that:
- We are owned by Auckland Council and must give effect to the relevant aspects of its Long-Term Plan (LTP) as well as act consistently with the relevant aspects of other plans and strategies.
- We are subject to interim regulatory oversight by a Crown monitor (being the Commerce Commission) as provided for in the Watercare Charter.
- We have a statutory obligation to maintain drinking water and wastewater services in Auckland.
- Despite being 100 per cent owned by Auckland Council, from 1 July 2025, we are fully financially separate and independent from Auckland Council. Existing debt owed to Auckland Council must be repaid by 30 June 2030 and we must not pay any dividend or distribute any surplus to Auckland Council. Neither can we receive any financial support from the Council.
- Under the Public Audit Act 2001 and the Local Government Act 2002, the Auditor-General is our auditor.
The Local Government (Water Services) Bill was introduced into Parliament in December 2024. The Bill, which includes enduring settings for a comprehensive economic regulation regime for the water sector in New Zealand, is expected to come into force in 2025 with permanent economic regulation due to take effect for Watercare in July 2028.
At least two of our board meetings a year are required to be held in public: one before 30 June to consider Auckland Council’s comments on the draft statement of intent (SOI) for the upcoming financial year, and one after 1 July to consider our performance under the SOI for the previous financial year. In practice, all board meetings have a session open to the public.
Interim economic regulation
Until comprehensive economic regulation is implemented, we are subject to interim regulatory oversight by the Commerce Commission, with requirements outlined in the Watercare Charter. The Watercare Charter is in effect until 30 June 2028 and was made by the Government in March 2025. The Charter provides for:
- Minimum service quality standards and financial performance objectives to incentivise Watercare to provide quality service while operating efficiently;
- Thresholds for maximum allowable revenue so that expected increases in average combined water supply and wastewater services bills will not exceed certain amounts;
- Minimum rates of increase in infrastructure growth charges so that, over time, overall revenue becomes less dependent on revenue from providing water services; and
- Reporting and publishing requirements to ensure that the Crown monitor has sufficient information to perform their role and to ensure Watercare’s public accountability.
Our Business Plan incorporates the approved policy settings that are included in the Watercare Charter, and the legislative obligations specified under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.
The legislative framework enabling and governing our operations as the provider of water and wastewater services in Auckland is found largely in the following:
We manage our operations in accordance with New Zealand law, under a regulatory and legislative framework specific to Watercare and other water services entities.
Under the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, we are required to manage our operations efficiently with a view to keeping the overall costs of water supply and wastewater services to our customers (collectively) at the minimum levels consistent with the effective conduct of our undertakings and the maintenance of the long-term integrity of our assets.
In addition to the requirements above, the legislative framework provides that:
- We are owned by Auckland Council and must give effect to the relevant aspects of its Long-Term Plan (LTP) as well as act consistently with the relevant aspects of other plans and strategies.
- We are subject to interim regulatory oversight by a Crown monitor (being the Commerce Commission) as provided for in the Watercare Charter.
- We have a statutory obligation to maintain drinking water and wastewater services in Auckland.
- Despite being 100 per cent owned by Auckland Council, from 1 July 2025, we are fully financially separate and independent from Auckland Council. Existing debt owed to Auckland Council must be repaid by 30 June 2030 and we must not pay any dividend or distribute any surplus to Auckland Council. Neither can we receive any financial support from the Council.
- Under the Public Audit Act 2001 and the Local Government Act 2002, the Auditor-General is our auditor.
The Local Government (Water Services) Bill was introduced into Parliament in December 2024. The Bill, which includes enduring settings for a comprehensive economic regulation regime for the water sector in New Zealand, is expected to come into force in 2025 with permanent economic regulation due to take effect for Watercare in July 2028.
At least two of our board meetings a year are required to be held in public: one before 30 June to consider Auckland Council’s comments on the draft statement of intent (SOI) for the upcoming financial year, and one after 1 July to consider our performance under the SOI for the previous financial year. In practice, all board meetings have a session open to the public.
Interim economic regulation
Until comprehensive economic regulation is implemented, we are subject to interim regulatory oversight by the Commerce Commission, with requirements outlined in the Watercare Charter. The Watercare Charter is in effect until 30 June 2028 and was made by the Government in March 2025. The Charter provides for:
- Minimum service quality standards and financial performance objectives to incentivise Watercare to provide quality service while operating efficiently;
- Thresholds for maximum allowable revenue so that expected increases in average combined water supply and wastewater services bills will not exceed certain amounts;
- Minimum rates of increase in infrastructure growth charges so that, over time, overall revenue becomes less dependent on revenue from providing water services; and
- Reporting and publishing requirements to ensure that the Crown monitor has sufficient information to perform their role and to ensure Watercare’s public accountability.
Our Business Plan incorporates the approved policy settings that are included in the Watercare Charter, and the legislative obligations specified under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.
Water Supply and Wastewater Network Bylaw 2015 This bylaw serves as a legally binding mechanism that enables us to protect our water supply and wastewater network assets.
The bylaw covers various matters including:
- avoiding illegal or inappropriate connection to or disconnection from our network
- protecting our network from damage, misuse and interference
- requiring appropriate standards for infrastructure that will be vested as public assets
- enabling the restriction of water supply to maintain an adequate supply of drinking water in a drought or other emergency.
This bylaw serves as a legally binding mechanism that enables us to protect our water supply and wastewater network assets.
The bylaw covers various matters including:
- avoiding illegal or inappropriate connection to or disconnection from our network
- protecting our network from damage, misuse and interference
- requiring appropriate standards for infrastructure that will be vested as public assets
- enabling the restriction of water supply to maintain an adequate supply of drinking water in a drought or other emergency.
Further legislative requirementsTaumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act 2020:
- Under this legislation the principal regulators for water quality include Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council and Taumata Arowai.
- This Act requires all persons who perform or exercise functions, power and duties under the legislation to give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai. This mirrors requirements imposed on local authorities under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, and on Taumata Arowai under the Taumata Arowai - the Water Services Regulator Act 2020. In particular, the purpose of the Act is to ensure that drinking water suppliers provide safe drinking water to consumers. New drinking water rules and standards came into effect on 1 July 2022.
- As part of its governance arrangements, Taumata Arowai has Te Puna - Māori Advisory Group that is charged with advising on Māori interests and knowledge as they relate to the objectives, functions and principles of Taumata Arowai. This includes developing and maintaining a framework that provides advice and guidance on how to interpret and give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai and providing advice on how to enable mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori and kaitiakitanga to be exercised.
- Includes provisions relating to fluoridation of drinking water.
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015:
- Sets out the principles, duties and rights in relation to workplace health and safety. A guiding principle is that workers and others must reasonably be given the highest level of protection from workplace health and
- This is New Zealand's primary legislation for managing natural and physical resources, aiming for sustainable management. It regulates how people interact with resources like air, soil, freshwater, and coastal areas, and also governs land use and infrastructure development. Our assets and operations are subject to many consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 with associated conditions we must comply with. We must also comply with National Policy Statements, National Environmental Standards and other regulations.
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Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act 2020:
- Under this legislation the principal regulators for water quality include Auckland Council, Waikato Regional Council and Taumata Arowai.
- This Act requires all persons who perform or exercise functions, power and duties under the legislation to give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai. This mirrors requirements imposed on local authorities under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, and on Taumata Arowai under the Taumata Arowai - the Water Services Regulator Act 2020. In particular, the purpose of the Act is to ensure that drinking water suppliers provide safe drinking water to consumers. New drinking water rules and standards came into effect on 1 July 2022.
- As part of its governance arrangements, Taumata Arowai has Te Puna - Māori Advisory Group that is charged with advising on Māori interests and knowledge as they relate to the objectives, functions and principles of Taumata Arowai. This includes developing and maintaining a framework that provides advice and guidance on how to interpret and give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai and providing advice on how to enable mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori and kaitiakitanga to be exercised.
- Includes provisions relating to fluoridation of drinking water.
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015:
- Sets out the principles, duties and rights in relation to workplace health and safety. A guiding principle is that workers and others must reasonably be given the highest level of protection from workplace health and
- This is New Zealand's primary legislation for managing natural and physical resources, aiming for sustainable management. It regulates how people interact with resources like air, soil, freshwater, and coastal areas, and also governs land use and infrastructure development. Our assets and operations are subject to many consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 with associated conditions we must comply with. We must also comply with National Policy Statements, National Environmental Standards and other regulations.
Related content
We supply Auckland’s people with safe drinking water and reliable wastewater services while looking after waterways and the environment.
Learn why sustainability action and supporting communities helps Watercare deliver healthy and safe water to Auckland’s people now and for the future.
Our ties with local iwi form a valued partnership that continues to evolve.
You can download a range of reports and publications that we produce throughout the year.
Find out about the work our people do on a daily basis.