Statement of Expectations for Central Districts Water

Read Central Districts Water’s Statement of Expectations and learn what our council owners and partners expect from CDW, how it guides our work and when it is reviewed.

What our owners and partners expect from Central Districts Water

Central Districts Water’s Statement of Expectations sets out the direction and priorities our owners and partners expect us to follow as we establish the organisation and begin delivering water services.

The Statement was agreed in August 2026 by the Central Districts Water Joint Shareholders’ Committee. The Committee represents our three council owners – Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Rangitīkei District Council – alongside Nga Tapūwae o Hau, which represents collective iwi and hapū interests across the service area.

It provides direction to the CDW Board and guides our planning, decisions and activities, including how we work with councils, mana whenua, iwi and hapū, communities and other partners.

What does the Statement expect from CDW?

At its core, the Statement expects CDW to deliver affordable, efficient, safe, reliable and quality water services, while taking a long-term approach to the infrastructure and services our communities will need.

It sets expectations for us to:

  • keep affordability and value for money front and centre
  • provide safe, reliable and resilient drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services
  • plan and invest for the long term
  • support the growth plans and priorities of our three council areas
  • improve environmental outcomes
  • provide open communication and responsive customer service
  • build and maintain public confidence
  • recognise that the communities, iwi and hapū across our service area have different circumstances, priorities and relationships
  • develop strong and enduring relationships with our councils, Nga Tapūwae o Hau, mana whenua, iwi and hapū.

The Statement also makes clear that working across a larger area does not mean taking a one-size-fits-all approach. CDW is expected to understand and respond to the different needs and priorities of Horowhenua, Palmerston North and Rangitīkei, as well as the distinct circumstances of iwi and hapū across the rohe.

How often is the Statement reviewed?

The current Statement of Expectations applies from its adoption in August 2026 until 30 June 2037.

It will be reviewed after its first 12 months and then at least once every three years. The Joint Shareholders’ Committee can also carry out an extraordinary review if required.

Any proposed changes or replacement Statement will be discussed with the CDW Board before being adopted by the Committee.

This means the expectations can continue to evolve as CDW becomes established, begins operating and the needs of our communities change.

Read the Statement of Expectations

You can read the full Central Districts Water Statement of Expectations below.

Statement of Expectations – August 2026(PDF, 653KB)

Central Districts Water will begin delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across Horowhenua, Palmerston North and Rangitīkei from 1 July 2027.

Until then, the three councils remain responsible for water services and customers should continue to contact their council for faults, service requests or other water-related issues.

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