As Queenstown and Auckland battle water woes, Labour's local government spokesperson says taxpayer-funded water reforms are the "only answer" to fixing Aotearoa's water issues.
The National Party promises, if elected, it will repeal Labour's Three Waters reforms, restore council ownership and control, and set strict rules for water quality and investment in infrastructure. They are also promising to ensure water services are financially sustainable.
But Labour local government spokesperson Kieren McAnulty says taxpayer-funded water reforms, with 10 new entities is the "only answer because councils can't do it by themselves".
He said councils have said they cannot fix their water woes themselves, unless the system is reformed or the "Government props them up".
McAnulty took a swing at National's newly released fiscal plan, saying they "haven't got any money put aside" to achieve how they will approach water.
"Their option is the status quo, the one thing councils don't want. So reform is the only option."
As the election campaign continues, Auckland is battling a major sewage leak into the city's harbour, meanwhile Queenstown is under a water boil notice amid a cryptosporidium outbreak.
McAnulty told AM "things are going to continue to go bad" if enough investment isn't made.
"There's $185 billion that's required over the next 30 years and councils can't do it by themselves."
On Monday he told AM that bringing councils together under 10 new entities will allow the debt that is currently on council's books to come off the balance sheet, so ratepayers won't continue to get hit with the bill.
"It's done across a regional entity. It's going to save thousands for ratepayers."
McAunlty believes Labour's water reforms will get work that is needed done and ensure rates don't continue to climb.
"If we don't do something, it'll either be rate bills that they can't afford or that work won't get done."
He believes rate increases are one of the main issues for voters in election 2023 and told AM some districts could save up to 90 percent over a three-year peirod.
"Now that's a massively compelling story that we can prove and back up. That was peer-reviewed. It's there for all to see. It's publicly available. If we stick with the status quo, ratepayers will face bills they can't afford."
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