Could water be privatised here?

[C_T_Russell]

The biggest issue with 3 waters was the assets were essentially taken away from council ownership and there was a provision in the clauses that meant it could be sold off if enough agreed to it.
There should have never been any provision to begin with, perhaps it is nothing to worry about, but it was enough concern for me to see that such a provision even existed.

Another issue is that some councils managed their water infrastructure well and had little to no debt.
With three waters, it would mean that those who had a good, well managed system would end up paying up more to prop up councils who managed it bad.
So if you were paying more for your water in a poorly run region, you may end up paying less, but others who paid less currently will end up paying more to prop up other regions.

Also regarding storm water, waste water etc. If you had a problem under the three waters scheme, i.e blocked storm water drain, you have to call your regional water authority which may not even be your home city. Its much better for local council to monitor and manage this.

well the first point you make would seem to contradict the legislation I linked so I would like to see the actual evidence of that.

as for the second point, we are in the infrastructural mess we are in precisely because the existing system of authorities managing their own water systems is broken and not working, case in point Wellington...

The infrastructure of New Zealand should not be left to the whims of councils that are elected periodically, with an incentive to minimise Rates increases...

It was this entrenchment clause here.
Looks like labour changed it at the end of 2022 due to the backlash.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/480...egislation