Why does Waipuna aa rangi exist? The delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater is changing. These services will soon be delivered by ten publicly owned, locally led water services entities. All ten Water Services Entities must: give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi remove existing barriers and prioritise system design on incorporating solutions that give effect to Te Mana o te Wai; and address Iwi/Māori rights and interests. The structure of Water Services Entities includes what is called the “Regional Representative Group” which is designed to provide regional and local level direction and oversight, including joint monitoring of Water Services Entities. The Regional Representative Group–or RRG–is made up of an equal number of local authority representatives and mana whenua. All iwi and hapū within Entity A are entitled to be involved in the design, establishment and implementation of the key transition workstreams for the Water Services Entities. Waipuna aa rangi facilitates this.

What is Waipuna aa rangi? Waipuna aa rangi is the representative body established to collectively represent the interests of, and advocate for, the 45 hapū and iwi within the catchment area called Entity A as determined by the Department of Internal Affairs. Ko Waipuna aa rangi te rōpū e whakakanohi nei i ngā hapū me ngā iwi e 45 puta noa te rohenga a Entity A. Waipuna ā rangi represents and advocates for all 45 hapū and iwi across Entity A.

What does an Entity do? Following the transition from Three Waters which saw four Water Services Entities established, there will now be 10 entities under the Water Services Reform Programme. There is no change to Entity A, which means Waipuna aa rangi remains the representative body for hapū and iwi across Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau The entities have been defined by the Department of Internal Affairs as: Entity A - Auckland and Northland Entity B - Waikato Entity C - Bay of Plenty Entity D - Taranaki Entity E - Manawatu-Whanganui Entity F - Gisborne/Hawke's Bay Entity G - Wellington Entity H - Te Tau Ihu Entity I - Canterbury/West Coast Entity J - Otago Southland Find out more about the Entities here.

Where can I find out what the Government is saying about the reforms? The lead government agency is Te Tari Taiwhenua (the Department of Internal Affairs or DIA). DIA has compiled their own list of Frequently Asked Questions about the reforms. If you can't find the answer to your pātai, you can email DIA directly at waterservicesreform@dia.govt.nz

How can I keep up to date with the work of Waipuna aa rangi? We want everyone who is interested in keeping up to date with our work to stay in touch. You can either subscribe to our pānui here or regularly check our website! Whai wāhi atu ki ā mātau pānui!