Final leg of water reforms passed

The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill requires water services suppliers to provide water services at a cost and level of service consumers expect. The Bill providers the Commerce Commission with a flexible regulatory toolkit to drive the water entities performance and ensure consumers benefit from the water reforms with lower prices and good levels of service. 

To protect consumers’ interests, a Water Services Commissioner will be appointed within the Commerce Commission to oversee the system.

The scope of the Consumer Advocacy Council will also be broadened so that it can advocate on behalf of water services consumers, and an independent dispute resolution service will be established to resolve disputes between consumers and water suppliers.

Read the Minister’s press release:

Consumer protection bill ensures affordable, quality public water supplies(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz