Selwyn District Council has successfully completed the transfer of drinking water and wastewater assets to Selwyn Water Limited (Selwyn Water), ensuring the district’s water services remain reliable, sustainable, and well-managed for the future.
Selwyn District Council has taken two major steps this year to secure the future of local water services. In April, the Council adopted the Local Water Done Well central government approach, setting the framework for community-focused water delivery. Building on that decision, in September the Council approved the Transfer Agreement with Selwyn Water Limited, paving the way for the transfer of drinking water and wastewater assets on 18 December 2025.
With the transfer complete, Selwyn Water now manages approximately $1.1 billion in drinking water and wastewater assets under its own governance and financial systems. The transfer includes all water and wastewater assets, liabilities, resource consents, contracts, and water-related debt.
“Completing this transfer reinforces our commitment to keeping Selwyn’s water services in public hands while strengthening the way they are managed,” says Selwyn District Council Chief Executive Sharon Mason. “This is a significant milestone, and I want to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the staff across both organisations who have made this transfer possible.”
Selwyn Water Chief Executive Alex Cabrera says the transfer of water assets positions Selwyn Water to invest strategically and deliver service excellence.
Selwyn Water is being built as a utility to serve Selwyn for generations,” he says. “Being a utility means more than managing pipes and plant it’s about adopting a long-term, service-first mindset. Our focus is simple: deliver safe, reliable water services every day, and build the infrastructure Selwyn needs for the future. We’re committed to working closely with residents, mana whenua, and our partners to ensure our services reflect the expectations and aspirations of our communities.
Over the next six months, Selwyn Water will continue building its internal capability and systems ahead of taking over customer billing from 1 July 2026.