Safe drinking water
Everyone deserves safe drinking water, and effective waste and storm water infrastructure.
3 waters intended to deliver a sustainable solution.
With that now gone, we face local councils having to pay for a bill they can't afford, and that cost being passed on us all, in form of higher rates.
A strong workforce for our drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater
Water is our lifeblood, and the lifeblood of our communities. For us to live, work, and play, for us to be safe and healthy, we need to sustain the balance between water, our communities and our environment. We must be able to safely and sustainably bring drinking water to us, carry used water away, and drain rain off the land, roads and footpaths we all share. A strong workforce is how we’ll get there.
People working in water services across the country are the ones who fix pipes, make sure drinking water is safe, treat sewage, and more. When they have the pay, conditions, and opportunities they deserve, we’ll all benefit from a workforce that will keep water flowing for decades to come.
Recognising and respecting water workers so their careers flourish
Water workers are proud to serve their communities. Their job should be a rewarding experience, with opportunities to become a rewarding career.
When we invest in fair wages, good working conditions, and long-term career paths, workers will want to keep their essential skills in Aotearoa. When we invest in apprenticeship opportunities, training and professional development, workers will be able to progress their careers and be rewarded for their skills.
We can build a workforce that keeps up with the scale of infrastructure building work that we need over coming years.
The Government’s reforms could leave workers behind
The Government’s water reforms risk letting this great opportunity dry up. If councils are stuck with managing water services and little money to pay for it, we’ll have a fragmented workforce that people won’t want to be a part of. Regions with fewer resources won’t be able to get the workers they need, and workers without a career path will see the industry as a dead end.
Workers are already leaving for better work in Australia, and this will get worse unless we can give them what they need to keep their skills and expertise in Aotearoa.
Support water workers so they can support us
Everyone agrees that our pipes, reservoirs, and other infrastructure need a lot of work to keep us well. To do that work, we need a well-respected and well-resourced public workforce. The Government’s water services regime must make the pay, conditions, and opportunities of water workers reflect the necessity of their work.
