Podcasts about three waters reform

The Labour Party's controversial Three Waters reforms were repealed last week. National's replacement plan seeks to address the complaints of many who pushed back against the bill, while maintaining support for challenged regions.  Additionally, this Sunday saw National Leader Christopher Luxon pushed out of the yearly Big Gay Out event by protestors. Amongst other issues, the protestors are standing against proposed changes to the school curriculum, removing and replacing gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines.  Producer Castor spoke to National's James Meager about the Three Waters replacement, including recent environmental concerns. He also discusses the curriculum changes, and how the National Party supports queer young people.

Councils may continue to join forces to tackle infrastructure around three waters.  The Government's confirmed its plan to repeal and replace the controversial legislation.  It will introduce bills that attempt to make it easier for councils to determine their own water strategy, including making it easier to set up council-controlled organisations.  Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker told Mike Hosking that it makes sense for Hawke's Bay, as a region, to work together.  She says communities are socially and economically connected, and this legislation could help get things off the ground for a regional model.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Ginny Andersen and National's Nicola Willis join Nick Mills for Politics Monday following special votes being counted. Together they discuss whether David Seymour and Winston Peters can work constructively, if recounts can make a difference, the Mongrel Mob seeking legal advice regarding the National Party's gang policy, and Golden Mile contracts remaining unsigned. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven't caught up, Three Waters is back. That surprises me to a degree, given the trouble the Government has had with Three Waters, the problems they have in the polls and the trouble they dug themselves into last week over race issues in health. Just to recap - when the Prime Minister became the Prime Minister he tossed a bunch of stuff out, or on the bonfire. But one of them wasn't Three Waters. Three Waters was handed to Kieran McAnulty to wander off and rejig. Trouble with the rejig is it was limited to changing the number of water entities to ten from four. I'm not sure what they were trying to achieve, given the main problem was not the number of entities but rather the co-governance aspect. Maori got automatic access and too much influence. Maybe Kieran thought if he could smokescreen us we wouldn't notice. What you might have noticed is it has vanished from the radar for the past couple of months. That is the beauty of the news cycle for the Government. We can't keep our attention on much more than one or two things these days, so serious issues can disappear. But, Three Waters is back. It has been announced that Northland and Auckland will lead off in terms of implementation. The trouble with this is two-fold; 1) It's an electoral disaster the Government doesn't need, 2) It's not set to actually start until the middle of next year i.e when they are potentially out of office. So, the obvious question is, why? Given all the trouble you have got as a Government, would you take a turd of an idea and reheat it to make your life harder during the campaign, if you have no chance of having it actually up and working to be able to show off as a potential success story? Race has, and will, bog this Government down. The Maorification that has unfolded in the past six years has got up the nose of a lot of people in this country. And Three Waters, in many respects, is the crown jewel of all that is wrong with the philosophy. The mere fact the water authorities “may” give consideration to community concerns over water, but “must” react to Maori concerns is the very race problem so many don't get, and don't like. Yet, here we are, looking to re-enter the battle once again. Ask yourself this - if you are Labour, does promoting separatism, through a massive restructure of water, enhance your chances of gaining votes? Exactly. So good luck with that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis and Labour MP for the Hutt South and Police Minister Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills on Politics Monday. Together they discuss reports that Rimutaka Prison is bursting at the seams, Labour's plan to reduce class sizes by one student, the Affordable Water Reforms and  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm the first person to accuse this Government of lacking political courage.   They lacked courage on tax reform. They lacked it on climate change. Jacinda Ardern even lacked the courage to say which box she'd be ticking in the cannabis referendum, lest her position cost Labour a few votes.  But you've gotta hand it to it this time, regardless of how you feel about co-governance, keeping the 50-50 mana whenua representation for the strategic oversight groups in the rebranded Three Waters policy is a politically courageous move. They could've gone with a watered down version, Māori representation at a level lower than 50 percent. They could have scrapped it altogether.   But they've kept it. And the question now is whether Kieran McAnulty and Chris Hipkins have the political talents to sell it.   We've heard a lot from supporters of co-governance that the arrangement is nothing new, that there are numerous examples where iwi co-governance arrangements are already in place and working well around the country.  This is partially true, but it's also a bit of a disingenuous comparison. The concept of co-governance is nothing new, but co-governance for the delivery of essential public services nationwide is much greater in scale and impact than anything that's been established before.   That doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. But if politicians are to introduce change of this nature, the onus is on them to explain why it's necessary.   Over the last 18 months, the Government has flipped and fudged and dodged and dived and done a generally woeful job of explaining its position. Even last week in her exit interviews, Jacinda Ardern responded to the co-governace question by telling John Campbell it was nothing to fear.  That may well be the case. It may be nothing to fear. But dismissing it as such is not an argument in favour of breaking with the status quo.  Labour has retained something akin to co-governance in the Affordable Water Reforms because they think it gives effect to the principles of the Treaty.   They deserve credit for sticking to their guns. But along with the rebrand, they owe New Zealanders  a better argument for why co-governance is important.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three Waters is no more, as the reforms have been rebranded to Affordable Water Reforms. The Government has scrapped the 4 mega entities in favour of 10 entities, with their boundaries established roughly along the lines of New Zealand's 16 regional councils. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says the new entities will allow local councils more direct engagement with the water entities that manage the water services on their behalf. Jason Walls also noted that the divisive co-governance aspect of the reform was absent from the initial release, but Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' statement suggests that co-governance is still on the table. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed a Three Waters rebrand will be announced 'imminently'.  Hipkins says this revamped water infrastructure policy will bring the focus back to "affordable water infrastructure." ZB Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen says that we're likely to find out more about the Three Waters reform within the next 24 hours. "It'll be very interesting to see what they actually come up with and how different it actually is, bar a branding exercise to the initial proposal."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti Meka Whaitiri and National MP Chris Bishop join Nick Leggett for Politics Tuesday. Together they discuss Green Party MP Elizabeth Kerekere calling colleague Chlöe Swarbrick a "crybaby", Waka Kotahi fixing 54-thousand potholes on the state highway network during 2022, and what will come of the Three Waters overhaul. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suggestions the Government's Three Water reforms will change, but it still hasn't appeased opponents. Sources have told BusinessDesk officials are considering merging water services into 10 regional entities, rather than four. The recommendations are expected to go to Cabinet in coming weeks, although the Prime Minister says no decisions have been made. Manawatu mayor Helen Worboys it doesn't address local councils' concerns about losing control of assets. "The bottom line is that the Government don't own these assets, they belong to our community. And they've basically got no right to take them without paying compensation." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government may be looking to abandon the current layout for Three Waters in favour of a 10-entity solution. The proposed 10-entity policy alternative has been sent to BusinessDesk as the primary recommendation that will be put to Cabinet in the coming weeks. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie says this alternative proposal kills off the concerns surrounding local Government say, a key issue the Government is facing with Three Waters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every month Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau sits down for a catch-up with Nick Mills live on Wellington Mornings and takes listeners' calls. This time they discuss National's policy to scrap Three Waters, why young people might not be moving to the capital, if rates increases are imperative and troubles with the Cook Straight ferries. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis and Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills every week for Politics Monday. This time they discuss the devastating floods across Auckland, whether Wellington is prepared for similar disasters, increasing the minimum wage and developments to the Three Waters entrenchment saga. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister and Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson joins Nick Mills live in the studio for the special Christmas edition of Wellington Mornings.  Together they discuss MP safety, Three Waters, co-governance, Restore Rail Protesters and how 2022 has been in general for politics. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen and National's deputy leader Nicola Willis join Nick Mills for Politics Monday. This week they debate what was behind National's win in the Hamilton West by-election, expected retirements within the Labour Party, Three Waters passing into law and youth crime. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Councils aren't planning on backing down against the Three Waters reforms. The first of three bills passed its final reading in Parliament yesterday, allowing for the amalgamation of council water assets into four water entities. Councils will own these entities through a shareholding and will co-govern them with mana whenua. Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon told Mike Hosking it's frustrating the Government has pushed forward with the reform. He says this doesn't mean they will give up, as the matter is too important to the community. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen joins Nick Mills just moments before the Three Waters Reforms Bill passes into law.  He also discusses the possible existence of an offshore Chinese police centre here in New Zealand, and Willie Jackson's diabolical interview on Q + A.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first major Three Waters reform bill has been approved into law but Labour was the lone party supporting the controversial legislation. The Water Services Entities Bill passed its third reading in the house yesterday, days after Labour reversed an "entrenchment" clause it had entered into the bill. That prompted the Green Party to ditch its support. Green Party Three Waters spokesperson Eugenie Sage spoke to Corin Dann.  

Today on The Wire for Rāhina Monday: Spike speaks to Lisa Burns from Cystic Fibrosis NZ about Pharmac's decision to fund Trikafta, a "life saving" drug for people living with cystic fibrosis, and Jodi Johnston from Campaign for Better Transport about the government's new $350m transport funding package. Arno speaks to Eugenie Sage about the Three Waters Reform and Labour's decision to remove the anti-privatisation clause from the legislation, and Professor James Hollings about the announcement of a "fair pay" law between news aggregators like Google and local news organisations here.

The Three Waters reform aims to provide safe, reliable drinking water, better environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater services, efficient, sustainable, resilient and accountable multi-regional water sewage services, and making it affordable for future generations. Taumata Arowai has already been established as the new water regulator and aims to strengthen regulation around the three waters - drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.   Arno spoke with Green Party spokesperson Eugnie Sage to get an overview of the issue and what might happen going forward.

Today on The Wire for Rāhina Monday: Spike speaks to Lisa Burns from Cystic Fibrosis NZ about Pharmac's decision to fund Trikafta, a "life saving" drug for people living with cystic fibrosis, and Jodi Johnston from Campaign for Better Transport about the government's new $350m transport funding package. Arno speaks to Eugenie Sage about the Three Waters Reform and Labour's decision to remove the anti-privatisation clause from the legislation, and Professor James Hollings about the announcement of a "fair pay" law between news aggregators like Google and local news organisations here.

The Three Waters reform aims to provide safe, reliable drinking water, better environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater services, efficient, sustainable, resilient and accountable multi-regional water sewage services, and making it affordable for future generations. Taumata Arowai has already been established as the new water regulator and aims to strengthen regulation around the three waters - drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.   Arno spoke with Green Party spokesperson Eugnie Sage to get an overview of the issue and what might happen going forward.

National MP Chris Bishop and Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills for Politics Monday. Together they debate the entrenchment clause in the Three Waters legislation that sparked outcry, just 22 percent of Kiwis supporting the TVNZ and RNZ merger, the murder of Malachi Subecz and crime across the country. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every week National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis and Labour MP for the Hutt South Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills to talk politics.  This week they debate a recent amendment to the Three Waters Reforms, support to retailers enduring crime, Waka Kotahi's speed reduction plan and The ACT Party's truancy policy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Three Waters entrenchment amendment has inspired discussions and debate, and this may be going on within the Government itself. Political editor Barry Soper has observed that there may be some friction going on between some key members of cabinet regarding the entrenchment amendment. Barry Soper also states that Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins have both admitted to not being aware of the plan to entrench this segment of the Three Waters bill, which is likely to create further issues. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the country's top constitutional experts are raising red flags about the Government's attempt to entrench part of its Three Waters reforms. Under a change proposed by the Greens, and supported by Labour, 60-percent of MPs would need to agree to overturn part of the bill protecting water assets from private ownership. Eight public law academics have written to the Government, saying such use of entrenchment sets a dangerous precedent. Until now, entrenchment has only been used for electoral laws that specify how electorates are drawn up, the method of voting, the voting age, and the length of the Parliamentary term. Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen —an opponent of the Three Waters reforms— told Kate Hawkesby that it's a worrying development. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The controversial Three Waters Bill, which the Government hopes to pass through Parliament in time for Christmas it throw up another interesting and unusual issue last week - the question of entrenchment.  Entrenchment is a tool that is normally reserved for constitutional matters, governing how our elections run, for example: things like the voting age or the length of a parliamentary term or the method of voting and how electorates are drawn up.  So, issues that require more than a bare majority of MPs to change. Therefore, it was quite a surprise to see a last-minute clause in the Three Waters Bill last week, meaning any future law change allowing public water assets to be sold would require a vote of 60% of Parliament or a successful public referendum - entrenchment in other words.  It means a super majority of 72 MPs, more than the usual majority of 61 MP's would be needed by Government to change the prospective law in the future.  One of the major concerns of Three Waters is the privatisation of water assets and the loss of control in revenue. So surely this might sound like a step in the right direction to some of you. You may think so, and I'd like to know whether it gives you more faith in this bill, because this is a major concern. We don't want to lose control of our water assets and the revenue. But actually, in a way, this is not about the Three Waters Bill. This is a major overreach by the Government to use entrenchment in this situation. When laws are created in New Zealand by the Government of the day, they had done so in the knowledge that the Government of tomorrow are free to come along and undo them. That is part of our constitutional setup and the concern here is, of course, that it could open the door for more laws to be similarly entrenched in the future.  The future of our water ownership is really important, but it is still a matter of policy. Should we be using this tool of entrenchment in a situation like this? No other law requires such a majority for it to be overturned. It's no light issue. It does actually require serious debate. And the Government's determination to get the Three Waters bill rushed through Parliament at this stage with urgency has a sense of desperation to it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A public law expert says he won't be surprised if the Government back tracks on moves to entrench part of the controversial Three Waters reforms. Under a last minute change, 60-percent of MPs would have to agree to overturn part of the Bill protecting water assets from privatisation. A group of legal academics have written to the Government, raising concerns about the entrenchment of non-electoral law. Otago University's Andrew Geddis says even if it's motivated from a good place...it's not been done properly. He says even if it was motivated by really not wanting to see water go into private hands, the process that's been used is a bit shoddy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government appears to be ready to back-track on a move to entrench part of its Three Waters reforms. Under a last minute change to the Government's Three Waters reforms, 60-percent of MPs would have to agree to overturn part of the bill protecting water assets from privatisation. A group of public law experts has written to the Government raising concerns about the entrenchment of non-electoral law and the precedent it could set. Jacinda Ardern says the concerns are legitimate, and she'll be discussing the matter with Cabinet today. ACT Leader David Seymour says the change shouldn't have been rushed through Parliament under urgency without public debate in the first place. He says the backbench MPs who were on duty at the time didn't seem to realise the significance of what was being debated. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Three Waters legislation is in the process of being re-examined, after parts of the legislation were deemed "confusing." Labour's Megan Woods clarified that the "Five Waters" discourse was the fault of the farming community, as they requested that geothermal and coastal waters be covered by Three Waters. Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard is denying that the farming community was to blame in this scenario, as they were merely asking for clarification around aspects of the legislation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister-in-charge of Three waters says we've lost sight of its real aims. A new report's outlined proposed changes based on cross-party select committee recommendations. These include an annual shareholders meeting and a mix of rural, provincial and metropolitan councils present on regional groups. Nanaia Mahuta says that debate around co-governance has been a distraction - and we've lost focus on the reform's key drivers. She says these are that we have an unsustainable way of funding infrastructure, as well as a cost-of-living crisis - so we need to find a way through this. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, the upset yesterday at the revelation of the Three Waters office space is understandable. Millions spent on leases and hundreds of workers. For what? The thing doesn't even exist. It's like the central health authority's first action being a report with 101 ideas as to what to do about fixing the place. Not a single one of them was original and none of them enacted because they had barely unpacked their lunch boxes. That's this Government in a nutshell, though. Some headlines, bit of noise, some advertising, a bit of hiring and some "transition” work. But the reality and the grunt work, where is it? In the Three Waters case, tomorrow, allegedly, we are to receive the select committees report back on the Water Services Entities Bill. In other words, the legislation hasn't been passed. Currently, there is no Three Waters. So how can there be a bunch of people working madly away? What are they working away on? Oh yes, the transition. To what? What's it look like? What's in? What isn't? What's getting changed? What's getting thrown out? No one knows, or do they? The process of the select committee is to take the intention and hear from the public. Boy, have they heard from the public. Then, they maybe do something about it. The rejection rate for this project has been monumental Most councils don't want a bar of the idea They have made some changes, the council have rejected the changes and very few are even close to being on board. So what are they saying is that it doesn't matter what you think, it's happening anyway and that's why all these people are sitting at head office working away, because what you say, what you have objected to, is irrelevant. Not even this Government are that arrogant, I don't think. So somewhere between ignoring us and throwing the whole thing in the bin lies what will actually happen, and given that, just what is it you do all day when you are employed on something that doesn't have a shape yet? Also, if you are one of those people, what did you sign up to? And as what? How does that work, how much energy do you want to put into something that may never happen, how unfulfilling must that be? If my bet is right and Three Waters never comes to pass, what do you put on your CV?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau is standing strong in her support of Three Waters. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger have teamed up to propose an alternative to the Governments three waters proposal to ensure water ownership stays the hands of local councils rather than being centrally owned. Whanau says three waters needs some altering, but it will ultimately help Wellington move on from its water woes. Tory Whanau says the alternative proposals wouldn't work for our city. She joins Nick Mills in the studio. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger and Auckland mayor Wayne Brown have discussed an alternative solution to the Government's Three Waters Reform. They opposed the Government's current plan and have revealed a different solution that kept the idea of having a water regulator, but has ownership, control and accountability staying in local hands. Christchurch Phil Mauger explained the pragmatic solution he and Wayne Brown have been advocating for further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayors of Auckland and Christchurch, two major New Zealand cities, have recently suggested an alternative solution to the Three Waters Reform. Three Waters Reform was a topical issue in the local body elections, and Wayne Brown and Phil Mauger have recently proposed a new plan that focuses more on local ownership, accountability and control. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon agreed with this discussion, and other mayors within the country are also considering this proposal. Jacinda Ardern said that the Government was open to refinements. Political editor Barry Soper explained the discussions further.   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Huddle: We had David Farrar, Kiwiblog and Curia pollster and Kaine Thompson, former Labour Press secretary talking about the following topics- Ruapehu life pass holders may have to save the skiing range- is now a good time to get one?  Big move from the councils today regarding Three Waters - saying they'll keep most of the existing plan but the key difference being they want ownership to remain in council hands. Should the Government agree to this? The Government saying it plans to drop the speed limits of our State Highway roads. Do you want slower roads? Or are you fine with the road toll as is? A 14 year old is appearing in the youth court today with 81 charges - what sort of sentence or rehabilitation should a 14 year old with 81 charges receive? A meeting is being considered between Michael Wood and Restore Passenger Rail, who's going to get their way? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both the mayors of Auckland and Christchurch have come together to discuss an alternative solution to Three Waters.  This new plan is similar to the current one the Government has formed, with an exception being that the regional water organisations would be governed by local councils as opposed to a co-governance body. Fran O'Sullivan, NZME business commentator weighed in on the mayors challenge to the Government regarding Three Waters- but pointed out this would be difficult to accomplish as there is a bureaucracy committed to making the current model happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new mayors of Auckland and Christchurch have teamed up to create a new Three Waters proposal. The main difference is the regional water organisations would be owned and governed by councils, not a co-governance body. Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson explained his thoughts on the plan. "From what I have read, it does sound like it might not quite reach what we need in terms of aggregation. They're talking about an opt-in situation, which might not mean that we get the heft into the entities that they need." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown told Watercare a week ago that all work on three waters should cease. The Watercare chair has now written back to Wayne, telling him that they will keep working on three waters reform regardless of what he says. Pattrick Smellie from BusinessDesk talked us through all the back and forth. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Labour's Poto Williams and National's Gerry Brownlee. They covered the big news of the week, including the Reshaping Streets movement, the recent Taxpayers Union poll which gives National and ACT positive news, and yesterday's GDP number. John also pressed them both on their reaction to the Christchurch City Council voting no to the housing intensification bill, and why has $16 million been spent on consultants for the proposed Three Waters Reform. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smaller councils are fearing the loss of big employers under the Three Waters reform. Longstanding discount deals to allow big industries to discharge into council wastewater networks will be ended by the Government's reform programme. About 50 percent of Timaru's water use is commercial. Mayor Nigel Bowen told Mike Hosking there are concerns about the harm the local economy will face if it loses the advantage of discounted trade waste. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another report has been added to a growing stack, criticising the Three Waters reforms. New modelling commissioned by the group Communities 4 Local Democracy suggests stripping councils of control of their assets, isn't worth it. It's found councils could fund their water infrastructure for the next 20 years without needing to merge, impose new water charges, or change their debt caps. The group's chair Helen Worboys told Mike Hosking the Government's approach doesn't make sense. She says reforms don't need a gold-plated model, and keeping Three Waters assets contained within councils is a viable option. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A compromise is being proposed in the controversial Three Waters reform. The Bill currently before select committee would transfer responsibility for all tap water, sewage and stormwater from local councils to four new regional agencies. Now the body representing councils, Local Government New Zealand, has put forward the idea of local bodies keeping control of stormwater. President Stuart Crosby told Mike Hosking councils should have a choice on whether they want the job, or not. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kia Ora, in this episode we are talking about our fundamental right to fresh water and the current governments efforts to restore and maintain our access to fresh water by means of a political reform, the Three Waters Reform. We are also taking a look at some of the opponents of this reform, in particular a suspected white supremacy groups who seems terrified of Maori rights and the vision of a decolonized Aotearoa. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

The Government wants to give Ngai Tahu the power to appoint two members to Environment Canterbury that have the same powers as elected councillors. Is this undemocratic? Police and the Crown have now launched their own reviews, after the Supreme Court quashed Alan Hall's murder conviction. Are you concerned people might lose trust in Police after such a blatant case of a miscarriage of justice? We've now got targets to improve our kids' school attendance rates, how can we get kids back in the classroom? Nanaia Mahuta's family members have been given government contracts on multiple occasions. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing – but does she need to explain her conflicts of interest better to the public? The Three Waters reform is officially underway with the first reading of the bill in the House this afternoon... With so much opposition to the changes – is this going to work out for the Government? David Farrar, Pollster and Kiwiblog editor, and Matthew Tukaki, Māori Authority, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on the Huddle. LISTEN ABOVE 

Can we all accept now that Nanaia Mahuta is not great at her job? It is astounding that she hasn't once spoken to our ambassador in Russia since the start of the invasion. Never mind the fact that – apart from one letter – she also hasn't been in contact with our diplomats in the Solmons since its pact with China. That's pretty bad as well. But not speaking to our woman in Russia is astounding given the magnitude of the invasion of Ukraine and the impact it's having on everything from food prices, fuel prices, the security of Europe through to the possibility it emboldens China. If that's not enough to get the Foreign Affairs Minister on the phone, god only knows what is. Frankly, the fact that Nanaia is not up to the job will not surprise many people. She's been in parliament for 26 years but what has she achieved? Not a lot. And this term might end and still the answer will likely be 'not a lot'. She's supposed to get the Three Waters Reform through but don't hold your breath on that one.   And she's the one responsible for stuffing it up, by failing to get councils on board, confiscating their assets while telling them she wouldn't and then making Māori co-governance a must-have part of it. The most notable things she's done as Foreign Affairs Minister is annoy our Five Eyes partners constantly and give a speech about a taniwha. I think we all know Nanaia Mahuta is probably only in the job because of the clout of the Māori caucus in Labour. They're big enough to demand jobs and I suspect this is the job she wanted. Big mistake. Because with everything happening in the world right now, from Ukraine to China's deal with the Solomons, you need someone capable, not Nanaia. 

Another pre-budget speech from Grant Robertson. This one came with a warning. David Seymour caused a stir in the house yesterday suggesting the Labour caucus is dropping the co-governance elements of the Three Waters Reform. One of New Zealand's most famous race car drivers is calling out the Government – what's the story? Chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE 

Lloyd was joined by Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and Porirua's Mayor Anita Baker on Friday afternoon to debate the Three Waters Reform issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerry Brownlee and Tracey McLellan were asked if MPs really have a grasp of the realities New Zealanders face in today's world on the back of record CPI numbers.They discussed the situation in the Solomon Islands and their relationship with China, and Labour MP Sarah Pallett has cancelled her involvement with a community group meeting in Christchurch around housing intensification and the Three Waters Reform. LISTEN ABOVE

My gut says the idea that the Three Waters programme is on its inevitable path to nowhere. We have predicted since the start of this that the consultation would be rejected.  We have seen the delays, legislation was going in last year, then April this year, and now it's delayed until who knows when. A committee was set up to rummage around the remnants of what is left, to try and come up with something that is workable. That went back to the Minister a bit over a week ago, but already with councils including Auckland rejecting the rework. Questions at this point were also raised around the future of Nanaia Mahuta as the lead protagonist on the project. We mu,st remember the Minister in any venture is a critical player and not all Ministers are created equal. And my hunch is that when the obituary of this Government is written one of the more intriguing revelations will be the explanation around Mahuta and what they were thinking. For a person so high up the tree, she doesn't appear to be on top of much, far less an expert in anything. Does it get to a point where the Government decides a change of look is required to spark a reset? Anyway, shares for councils are an idea among a bunch of other stuff that essentially waters, no pun intended, the whole idea down to a point that makes you wonder whether any of it's worth it. Yes, we all agree the infrastructure in this country needs help. Yes, thanks to Wellington and their spouting footpaths and lack of fluoride we can all see the people who are currently in charge aren't up to much. But just because it's broken, does a gerrymandered idea fix it? Does a half-baked, watered-down compromise driven by politics, agendas, and ideologies mean we improve the whole system in a way we would all agree has been worth it? To this point, it's a big fat no. So, at some point the clock is going to come into play. This Government is already in poll trouble and it's 18 months out from a vote. 2023 cannot be the year of contentious decisions, so they have this year to get it sorted. It's the end of March already, to this point they agree on nothing, and there is a question mark over the Minister. My bet that this thing sinks into oblivion looks safer by the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have Taupo City Council removed mandates too early? Or would you be keen to see other councils follow suit? The fuel announcement made by government this afternoon. Ardern said this morning that there is a cost-of-living crisis and that she never denied it in the first place. Is Nanaia Mahuta going to ever back down on three waters? Jane Campion having a fantastic day out at all the film awards today, how good is this for the NZ film industry?  Journalist Clare de Lore and Neale Jones from Public Relations Firm Capital joined Andrew Dickens to discuss this and the rest of the news on The Huddle. LISTEN ABOVE 

Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Labour's Poto Williams and National's Gerry Brownlee to talk the big topics of the week. John asked if the Charlotte Bellis situation had been dealt with appropriately, if the Three Waters Reform was going ahead despite rumours, and what they thought of the local anti vax protesters outside Canterbury schools. LISTEN ABOVE

Changes to the Resource Management Act making it easier to build houses in the country's biggest cities has passed its final reading in Parliament with cross-party support. Does it address concerns raised at the select committee stage?  Is this going to make a difference to the housing crisis, or for first home buyers.   The Government has delayed the next stage of its controversial Three Waters reforms until next year. How is she going to get Local government across the line?  NZ Herald Political Reporter, Thomas Coughlan joined Francesca Rudkin. LISTEN ABOVE  

A new survey shows how unpopular the governments Three Waters Reform is. Horizon polled more than 11-hundred people on behalf of the Democracy Action Group. They found 71% want more public consultation on the government's reform. 63% think we should have a referendum on the proposal. Lee Short from the Democracy Action Group told Heather du Plessis-Allan people are upset that they weren't consulted. “It's been poorly explained by the government.” LISTEN ABOVE 

Three Waters is back on the agenda today. 23 local councils are going to Parliament to make their opposition clear. That's around a third of the local bodies affected by Three Waters, but it doesn't mean the other 44 are all on board. And they're right to be suspicious of it. Three Waters will take away all those council-owned drinking water systems and the storm water and the wastewater...and hand it over to four unelected regional bodies. Now, when the Minister is asked to explain why we need to do this at all, she points to the Havelock North incident five years back. And fair enough, that was terrible. Drinking water contaminated with sheep faeces, thousands of people made sick and at least four dead as a result. Not good enough. We also have major problems in some of our bigger centres with broken down old systems that leak sewage when it rains. Not good enough. Then you've got the Auckland issue; a massive failure to build and upgrade, despite milking huge fees from developers to connect new builds to the network. Not good enough. But each of these problems is distinct to each of the local bodies in charge. Local bodies spending millions on cycle lanes no one wants, millions more on pie-in-the-sky crazy economic and social projects which are not even their business, let alone their area of competence. Pick up the rubbish, fix potholes in the streets and provide a decent water supply and sewage system. I'm not pretending there isn't a problem with water. But Three Waters is not the answer. It's got nothing to do with improving water, but everything to do with centralising power and snatching assets from those councils which actually have done a good job. 

Today on Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald caught up with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel for our final chat for 2021.The Mayor reflected on the recent decision for the Council to stay with Local Government New Zealand, and the steps they would now take in regard to the proposed Three Waters Reform, and promoted a new water usage tool available via Council for ratepayers. And John asked the Mayor what she felt the Council's best achievements had been in 2021.LISTEN ABOVE

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is today visiting Christchurch, and spoke with Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings host, John MacDonald live on the show.John asked the Prime Minister about the new 'Traffic Light System', and off the back of recent events being cancelled in Canterbury, whether the system provided enough information and clarity for event organisers to confidently plan going forward. The Prime Minister also discussed the Three Waters Reform and why she feels it is essential to move forward with the changes, and domestic travel within New Zealand being open for both the vaccinated, and the unvaccinated."LISTEN ABOVE

Today on Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to National Party Leader, Judith Collins. They discussed the latest political polls and the leadership of the National Party, and John asked why she had publicly written off Simon Bridges as a potential leader for the party.  Also, concerns around MP safety, which have been raised after a recent event with Labour's Kieran McAnulty, and Collins gave her view on the three Councils who are seeking legal action around the Three Waters Reform. LISTEN ABOVE   

Today on Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald spoke to Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon.  Dan is leading the charge on Councils pushing back on the Three Waters reform, and told listeners about the concerns his residents have voiced and his request to meet with the Prime Minister. LISTEN ABOVE 

The Mayor chats about the possible move into Stage 2 of Alert Level 3 and the Three Waters Reform. Whakarongo mai!   

Joining us on the Weekend Panel this morning are Anna Fifield, editor of the Dominion Post, and former National minister Chris Finlayson. Among other topics, they'll be discussing where to from here for Covid-19, the new changes to the MIQ system, COP26 and the Three Waters Reform.

Labour's Poto Williams and National's Gerry Brownlee today joined Canterbury Mornings to discuss what has been a turbulent week for the Canterbury region.John MacDonald asked if enough had been done by the Government to protect the South Island from Covid and whether the Government had dropped the ball in preparing for the arrival of the Delta variant in New Zealand.He also questioned why the Government was so intent on pushing ahead with the Three Waters Reform when it was clear from Councils around New Zealand that they were not in favour of handing over their water assets.LISTEN ABOVE

More opposition to the Government's plan to confiscate water infrastructure from councils, this time it's Federated Farmers. The industry body has called the mandatory transfer of all the country's water assets to four new entities a "huge call". Andrew Hoggard is president of Federated Farmers, he joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government is pushing forward with its overhaul to the governance of water. The Three Waters reforms will see council-owned drinking, storm and waste-water services amalgamated into four regional bodies.They also announced yesterday it will be mandatory for councils to join the changes, removing the opt out clause.Dr Muriel Newman is the Director of the New Zealand Centre for Political Research, a public policy think-tank, and she joined Kerre McIvor. LISTEN ABOVE 

Widespread reaction to the Government's decision to go ahead with its controversial three water reforms. Water New Zealand says there are big challenges facing the sector, and these reforms address that.  Chief Executive Gillian Blythe told Kate Hawkesby about 30 options were considered. “This one is going to enable the unlocking of barriers that have contributed to this infrastructure deficit.” LISTEN ABOVE 

Christchurch City Councillors are dismayed following the Government's Three Waters Reform announcement this morning. Sam MacDonald and Phil Mauger told Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings they're dismayed at the lack of consultation and consideration given to local councils.  Their calls of concern were backed by a media release sent from Mayor Lianne Dalziel's office following the news. LISTEN ABOVE 

National Party leader Judith Collins announced ahead of the Government announcement, this morning, Labour's plans to go ahead with the Three Waters Reform. Collins stated she felt it was an asset grab, and if National were to be elected they would not proceed with the reform.  She also voiced her concern about the delay in MIQ changes, her feelings on vaccine mandates and her frustration on the Traffic Light System - which was announced last Friday by the Government. LISTEN ABOVE 

It was a bombshell announcement from Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta this morning The Government will go ahead with its plans for water reform, and will take power over water off local councils. Instead, four new water bodies will look after drinking, storm and waste water.  Councils were promised a right to opt out, but that's now been taken off the table and the government will force councils to hand over control.  Nanaia Mahuta told Heather du Plessis-Allan the reform is not confiscation."It provides these water service entities with a financially sustainable ability to fund infrastructure and asset management."LISTEN ABOVE 

Today the Government made a bold and unpopular announcement to go ahead with the Three Waters Reform. Originally, councils were given the right to opt out of the reform but this morning Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta confirmed it will be mandatory. The new water service plan means billions of dollars of council-owned drinking, waste and storm water infrastructure will be combined into four regional entities. Local Government New Zealand have voiced their concerns and disappointment with today's announcement and their President Stuart Crosby explains what their issues are.

Three Waters Reform - what are the issues, and what is the Southland District Council looking at doing about it? Jerrie finds out on this episode!

It's a no from Christchurch City Council on the planned Three Waters reform.It unanimously rejected the Government's delivery model at a special meeting this morning.Council is unable to opt out - but it's still recommending doing so.Councillor Pauline Cotter says the Government needs to look hard at their feedback.LISTEN ABOVE

The Mayor is on the line and today he gives us an update on vaccinations in Auckland and the Three Waters Reform. Whakarongo mai! 

Local councils around the country have until Friday to have their say on the government's controversial Three Waters Reform proposal. The plan would see the country's 67 councils' drinking, waste and storm water assets taken over by four large regional entities. The government has sweetened the deal with $2.5 billion to be divvied up between the councils to ensure none is worse off as a result of the reforms. Local Government New Zealand, which represents councils, has copped some flak for entering into a Heads of Agreement with the government over the proposal, with some calling for councils to quit their membership. Other councils have called for a pause on the process, and the Minister for Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, has not ruled out ultimately making the scheme compulsory. Kathryn discusses the state of play with President of Local Government New Zealand, Stuart Crosby, and former Watercare Chief Executive Garry Law.

Local councils around the country have until Friday to have their say on the government's controversial Three Waters Reform proposal. The plan would see the country's 67 councils' drinking, waste and storm water assets taken over by four large regional entities. The government has sweetened the deal with $2.5 billion to be divvied up between the councils to ensure none is worse off as a result of the reforms. Local Government New Zealand, which represents councils, has copped some flak for entering into a Heads of Agreement with the government over the proposal, with some calling for councils to quit their membership. Other councils have called for a pause on the process, and the Minister for Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, has not ruled out ultimately making the scheme compulsory. Kathryn discusses the state of play with President of Local Government New Zealand, Stuart Crosby, and former Watercare Chief Executive Garry Law.

The Mayor phones up to chat about moving down to Alert Level 3, the Three Waters Reform, and developments in Drury. Whakarongo mai! 

The government has put a $2.5 billion sweetener on the table to get local councils onboard with massive three waters reforms. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta spoke about it with councillors and mayors at the Local Government conference in Blenheim this afternoon. Karyn speaks with Timaru mayor, Nigel Bowen, about the announcement and the proposed three water reform.

Nick's first weekly chat with NZ Herald Wellington Issues Reporter Georgina Campbell focuses on the thousands of monthly cancellations the regions bus services are facing, along with an explanation of the Three Waters Reform and where things are at with the quake repairs of Wellington's Town Hall and the St. James Theatre.LISTEN ABOVE

Questions on hate speech, assault of children in state care, and reform of water services management have been asked of Ministers at Parliament.

Questions on hate speech, assault of children in state care, and reform of water services management have been asked of Ministers at Parliament.