Tuesday, 27 July 2021, 2:48 pm
In July 2020, the Government launched the Three Waters
Reform Programme – a three-year programme to reform local
government three waters service delivery
arrangements.
This reform programme builds on the
progress made through the Three Waters Review and
establishment of Taumata Arowai.
Taumata Arowai will
be the new water services regulator for New Zealand which
will be committed to ensuring all communities have access to
safe drinking water and have an oversight role in protecting
the environment from the impacts of waste and
stormwater.
The Ministry of Health is the current
drinking water regulator. Taumata Arowai will become fully
New board of Taumata Arowai water regulator appointed
Former Director-General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai.Devdiscourse News Desk | Wellington | Updated: 26-02-2021 09:59 IST | Created: 26-02-2021 09:59 IST
A medical doctor, Dame Karen is currently serving as Commissioner of Waikato District Health Board, and Chair of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Immunisation Governance Group. Image Credit: Wikipedia
Major water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.
Former Director-General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai.
Source: New Zealand Government
Major water reform has taken a step closer with the appointment of the inaugural board of the Taumata Arowai water services regulator, Hon Nanaia Mahuta says.
Former Director General of Health and respected public health specialist Dame Karen Poutasi will chair the inaugural board of Crown agency Taumata Arowai.
“Dame Karen brings considerable experience in governance and management as Director General of Health and Chief Executive of NZQA, as well as her crucial experience as a member of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry panel,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
“This tragic water contamination incident was a major driver for legislation, including the establishment of an independent regulator, to assure safer drinking water and more efficient wastewater and stormwater networks for New Zealanders.”
A budget report showed the council had planned a 9.32 per cent rates increase, but had whittled it down using its depreciation reserve fund. It also planned to create a “Covid-19 Rates Relief Reserve” and use $12.8 million to knock rates down further over the next three years, to help those hit by coronavirus. The reserve would be reviewed in mid-2024. “The idea didn’t matter so many years ago, but it matters a lot now . We aren’t over Covid-19, and it will be creating issues for some time.”
Ricky Wilson/Stuff
Councillor Jamie Arbuckle suggested ratepayers on the council s rate rebate scheme be given an extra $200, which Marlborough District Council staff were looking into.