Mahuta NanaiaHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): I briefly want to endorse the work of teams of people around New Zealand and in particular in Auckland who are testing and vaccinating so that we can keep our communities safe. In particular for those in Mangatangi and Kaiawa I want to acknowledge the work of Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki who have risen to the challenge of ensuring that that particular community and those whānau can be tested and move towards vaccination. Securing our recovery means that we need to focus on the issues right in front of us and that is COVID-19. As the Prime Minister has said we need to ensure that every whānau within all our communities uphold the opportunity that they have to keep them safe and vaccinate.But I also want to focus on the longer-term challenges because we cannot drop our eye on the ball of some of the most challenging things in front of us. In my particular case it's the issue of water. Now there are two programmes of work that we have in front of us. One has been going through the House and that's the Water Services Bill and the other is a longer piece of work which is our three waters reform. In reality for most folk whether we drink it swim in it gather kai from it water is an important resource. It's a taonga and that's why the changes that I'm seeking are going to make a difference now and into the future. The three waters work programme is set up to ensure that our waters infrastructure is fit for purpose ensuring that we have safe drinking water better environmental outcomes and can ensure that the investment in infrastructure over the long term delivers real benefits to households and communities. What we know is that it's important to meet the challenges ahead of us because the cost of meeting higher standards will bear significantly upon councils.We're starting to hear opposition to what we're trying to achieve and at this late stage three years after we've identified the complexity of the challenge several campaigns have been initiated to try and undermine a simple fact. That simple fact is the status quo is simply not feasible. It is not financially sustainable. We have an inefficient investment strategy around infrastructure; communities several of them throughout the country on boil drinking water notices; 34000 people get sick every year from drinking water; and during heavy weather events we have stormwater outflows sludging up on our streets and into our waterways. This cannot continue.Coming from the Waikato I know how important it is to look after our waterways. We have the Waikato River there. It's what sustains and grows us and contributes to the economic opportunities within our region. But we can do more and we should do more. So these programmes of action around three waters are put together to ensure that we meet this challenge and we simply do not say to communities Oh it's OK if you don't want it you don't have to have it." It's a serious challenge; it needs to be addressed and that's why I'm hopeful that the Water Services Bill that will enable Taumata Arowai to undertake its role as a dedicated regulator will work with communities and councils around safe drinking-water supply.I want to thank the Federated Farmers and Irrigation New Zealand for their involvement in helping us to ensure that the workability of the bill is able to be achieved ensuring that all aspects must be tailored according to the scale complexity and risk profile of suppliers. We've had really good input from those two groups as to how that can be achieved for rural community. This means that we are not applying a one-size-fits-all approach and there will be different arrangements for small and rural suppliers than for council suppliers in cities and towns. We're going to have a debate later on in the week but I wanted to send a signal that without the valuable input of communities who in practice understand what we're trying to achieve and are looking for practical solutions—I'm mindful that their contribution to improving the Water Services Bill has been invaluable.Let me come briefly to the Three Waters Reform Programme. The sector is at a very difficult juncture. To do nothing would be unacceptable. To expect rates to pay for infrastructure investment with the scale that will be required coming down the track is going to be a very difficult task for several councils and that is the challenge. The decisions ahead of councils will take courage but it's what's best for the nation and what's best for councils that we need to be focused on and importantly what's best for the next generation. I'm hopeful as people have an informed debate based on good information rather than disinformation we'll be able to get there.SPEAKER: Just before I call the Hon David Bennett I know that there are some members who are in the House this week who haven't been here for the last couple but I want to remind members when they're wearing masks that they should keep them on in the House and if they're having private conversations they shouldn't remove their masks in order to do so. If they can't hear each other they should leave the Chamber and have their conversation outside."