Could water be privatised here?

[king1]

Thankfully not anymore now that this govt has scrapped three waters.
Three waters was opening the doors to privatization.

The citizens of Wellington will be very thankful...

I'm not sure where this privatisation argument comes from to be honest - it's pretty clear in the legislation that ownership of assets and control of pricing is to be retained.

and the ability to contract out is from the Local Government act 2002 and  been around through successive governments

Contracting out of water services
117Contracts relating to provision of water services

(1)  Despite section 116, a water services entity may enter into a contract for any aspect of the operation of all or part of water services for a term not longer than 15 years.

(2)  If a water services entity enters into a contract under subsection (1), it must—

1. continue to be legally responsible for providing the water services; and
   
2. maintain ownership of the infrastructure and assets relating to the water services; and
   
3.  retain control over—
   

•  the pricing of water services; and
  
•  developing policy related to the delivery of water services.
  
  

(3)  This section does not prevent a water services entity from entering into a contract with 1 or more other water services entities if the purpose of the contract relates solely to water services.

Compare: 2002 No 84, s 136

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/gov...40594.html

All I can say is this government campaigned hard on undoing Labours attempts at addressing structural issues in New Zealand -  National better have some solutions by the time the next election comes around...