Watercare has to keep water services running. You need to know that this rule is part of a bigger law called the Local Government Act 2002. This rule is actually no longer in use, it was stopped being used on 27 August 2025.

This happened because of a change made by section 172 of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025. The change stopped this rule from applying. You can find more information about the change in the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025.

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This page was last updated on 6 October 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1456073.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Water safetyGovernment and voting > Local councils

130: Obligation to maintain water services: general, or

"Councils must look after water services"

131: Power to close down or transfer small water services, or

"Closing down small water services is no longer allowed under this law."

Part 7Specific obligations and restrictions on local authorities and other persons
Obligations and restrictions relating to provision of water services

130AObligation to maintain water services: Watercare (Repealed)

Notes

Section 130A: repealed, on 27 August 2025, by section 172 of the Local Government (Water Services) (Repeals and Amendments) Act 2025 (2025 No 43).