FAQs

A Significance and Engagement Policy sets out how and when an organisation will engage with the community around various types of decisions. It is required under the Local Government Act 2002.

The Tiaki Wai proposed policy is aligned with the existing shareholding councils’ significance and engagement policies. It also reflects new legal requirements under the Local Government Water Services Act, including identifying and reporting on significant contracts.

Our Significance and Engagement Policy sets out how and when you can expect to hear from us. We commit to engaging with you on significant decisions on projects or proposals, especially where they affect particular locations or communities.

In our first year of operations, we will engage with the community around

• the Water Services Strategy for 2026/2027 and the following year’s strategy
• significant decisions on projects or proposals, especially where they affect particular locations or communities
• any decisions relating to joint water service provider arrangements outside our current service delivery area
• decisions about significant contracts where the proposal or project hasn’t already been subject to engagement, for example through the Water Services Strategy, and in line with legal requirements.

We intend to use a range of channels to keep people informed in a timely, accessible and transparent way including:

• public consultation on strategies and policies
• online, email and direct submission channels 
• publishing reports, summaries of feedback and decisions
• clear, no-surprises communication of major changes
• half-yearly public reporting 
• customer support and information channels 
• ongoing updates on infrastructure, growth and environmental work
• collaborative communications with iwi and council partners.

We will read and consider all feedback with an open mind as we finalise the strategy. Your views help shape both the final 2026/2027 strategy and future strategies.

We will publish a summary of all feedback and the decisions made before 30 June 2026.