9 February 2026.

We are deeply concerned that the many considerations under evaluation for the future provision of safe drinking water for communities across New Zealand do not include recognition of ‘human entitlement’ to access water, a ‘life stream’ entitlement; without charge or incremental exposure to unsustainable debt.

The initial arrangements now being implemented under the ‘Local Water Done Well’ proposals are further exposing limited income, older person and family households, to incremental impoverishment and rapid isolation within their communities.

The longitudinal survey of Retirement Living Costs maintained by Massey University starkly presents a worsening depiction of the affordability crisis facing older New Zealanders:

Continuing high living costs and the huge rating increases households have encountered in 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 (the first two years of current local government ‘Long Term Plans 2024/2034’) have seriously compromised the ability of low-income households to maintain a ‘balanced budget’.

One-person householders no longer participating in the paid workforce with inadequate savings and no significant Kiwisaver accumulations, making do on a “No Frills’ budget, are experiencing significant isolation within their communities, Others whose consumption continues to positively contribute to our economy are being incrementally impoverished at unsustainable rates between $252.42 to $272.15 per week.

Two-person householders no longer participating in the paid workforce with inadequate savings and no significant Kiwisaver accumulations making do on a “No Frills’ budget are experiencing significant isolation within their communities, Others whose consumption continues to positively contribute to our economy are being incrementally impoverished at unsustainable rates between $444.23 to $981.14 per week.

Add to this the severe cost increases predicated to be added for the water reforms effective from 1 July 2026 and a real crisis of affordability is before us.

It should be obvious to Government that ‘Local Water Done Well’ cannot be funded by user charges alone. Nor should such costs be funded solely by existing and future consumers. The cost components allocated to infrastructural investment and ‘safe-drinking pre-treatment of potable water, should be offset by state-funding of the former and in the latter case, a levy on land-based industry and other ‘polluters’ of our rivers and acquifers.

Lew Rohloff
Vice President

A “thank you” to Lew Rohloff for sending this letter to The Upper Hutt Connection.

10/02/26