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What specific concerns, if any, did councils raise about the exclusion of stormwater from the rates cap, beyond the issue of it not yet being regulated by the Commerce Commission?

Answered Question 12115 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • What specific concerns, if any, did councils raise about the exclusion of stormwater from the rates cap, beyond the issue of it not yet being regulated by the Commerce Commission?

Answered by

Hon Simon Watts

Member for North Shore · National Party · Minister of Local Government

Answer

The main issue raised during consultation was how stormwater activities are defined, and how it would be treated under a rates cap. Stormwater network is defined in sections 4 and 11 of the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025. Stormwater revenue and expenditure is ringfenced under this legislation and is therefore excluded from the rates cap.