Tararua District Council is calling on residents to have their say on one of the biggest decisions in decades – how our drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services should be managed in the future.

From today, 14 March, until 22 April 2025, the Council is consulting on whether water services should continue under the current council-led approach or shift to a new water  organisation for Wairarapa-Tararua.

This decision is part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms, and Wairarapa councils (South Wairarapa, Masterton and Carterton) and Tararua District Council are seeking community feedback on the best way forward.

What You Need to Know:

• Read the consultation document online or collect a hard copy from any library or customer service centre.
• Submit your feedback via the council website, by post, or by dropping off a hardcopy form at a council office.
• Attend a public information event to learn more and ask questions.

Upcoming Information Sessions:
Join us at an evening information session (7:00-8:30pm):

• 17 March – Dannevirke Town Hall
• 24 March – Pongaroa War Memorial Hall
• 27 March – Norsewood War Memorial Hall
• 31 March – Eketāhuna Community Centre
• 2 April – Woodville Sports Stadium
• 4 April – Dannevirke Town Hall
• 8 April – Pahiatua Town Hall

Drop-in sessions will also be held across the district. Full details are available here.

Mayor Tracey Collis urges everyone to take part:

“This is a once-in-a-generation decision, and we need to hear from our communities. The future of water services in Tararua must reflect the needs and priorities of our residents, so I encourage everyone to read the consultation document and share their views.”

Find out more and make your submission at: www.tararuadc.govt.nz/consultation

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Consultation opens today on one of the biggest council decisions in decades – how drinking water, wastewater and stormwater will be managed in the future.

For years, Tararua District Council has provided three essential water services:

• Drinking water – Clean and safe water from your taps.
• Wastewater – Water that goes down drains and needs treatment.
• Stormwater – Rainwater that flows off roads and properties.

Now, we need to decide how these services will be managed in the future. As part of Local Water Done Well, we’re asking:

• Should water services stay with Council?
• Should they move to a new Wairarapa-Tararua water organisation?

Consultation is open from 14 March to 22 April 2025. Get your copy of the consultation document to learn more about the options proposed and make sure you have everything you need to make a submission and share your views:

• Read the consultation document online or pick up a copy at a library or service centre.
• Submit your feedback online, by post, or in person.
• Attend an info session or drop-in event to learn more.
• First evening session: 17 March – Dannevirke Town Hall, 7:00-8:30pm

This is a major decision that affects every household and business. You have until 22 April 2025 to tell us which option you believe is the best fit for Tararua.

The consultation document, event details and submission form are all available on our consultation webpage:

www.tararuadc.govt.nz/consultation