Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/23953-ruapehu-district-council-failure-of-water-services-act on April 28, 2024 07:42

Ruapehu district council failure of water services act

Barry Murphy made this Official Information request to Department of Internal Affairs

This request has been withdrawn by the person who made it. There may be an explanation in the correspondence below.

From: Barry Murphy

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

Please see a post here and a screenshot from Ruapehu district council that the water services are only built to handle residents population and not the influx of visitors (for a tourist town)

Ohakune has 1200 residents, but up to 12,000 visitors over peak periods; over 60% of rate payers are holiday homes, paying the same rates ($4k plus) a year for services, but may only use them 3 months of the year. So they pay their fair share but use 1/4 of the services.

Council have recently proposed building a subdivision with kainga ora but are failing to meet demands by existing property owners.

See post and screenshot here. https://www.saveohakune.com/post/water-t...

1./ who governs the water act
2./ who takes action for the lack of services being provided (breaking the act)
3./ I wish to make a formal complaint and for this to be investigated

Yours faithfully,
Barry murphy

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From: Water Services Reform
Department of Internal Affairs

Tēnā koe Barry
Your Official Information Act request, reference OIA 2324-0136

Thank you for your email of 25 August 2023 to the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department), requesting the following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1. who governs the water act
2. who takes action for the lack of services being provided (breaking the act)
3. I wish to make a formal complaint and for this to be investigated

The Department is transferring your request in full to Taumata Arowai, as the information requested is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of Taumata Arowai. In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the Act to transfer your request.

You will hear further from Taumata Arowai concerning your request. If you have further questions regarding your request, you may contact them by email at:
[email address] or via their website at:
http://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/about/c...

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the Act, to seek an investigation and review of this decision by the Office of the Ombudsman. The postal address of the Office of the Ombudsman is PO Box 10152, Wellington. Alternatively, you can phone 0800 802 602 or email [email address].

Ngā mihi

Chris Fletcher (he/him)

Christopher Fletcher (he/him) | Senior Advisor, Ministerial Services
Water Services Reform Programme
Ue Te Hinātore | Local Government Branch
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs
45 Pipitea Street | PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand | http://www.dia.govt.nz/

*If you’re wondering about the use of pronouns on this signature, you can find more
information about how sharing pronouns can help create a sense of belonging and respect:
https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/our-wo...

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From: Info

OIA Ref: CAS-01778-T6K4R6

Tēnā koe Barry

Thank you for your email dated 25 August 2023, to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) which was transferred to us on 4 September 2023.
In your information request under the Official Information Act 1982 you requested for the following in relation to the water services of the Ruapehu District Council:
1. who governs the water act
2. who takes action for the lack of services being provided (breaking the act)
3. I wish to make a formal complaint and for this to be investigated

Taumata Arowai operates as the water services regulator for Aotearoa under the Taumata Arowai – the Water Services Regulator Act 2020 and regulates drinking water suppliers under the Water Services Act 2021 to ensure that drinking water suppliers provide safe drinking water to consumers.

If you are concerned about your drinking water, we have information on our website about how to raise a concern. https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/for-co...

We note in your request that you have identified you wish to make a complaint. We would like to clarify from you if you are wishing to make a complaint under the Water Services Act 2021 about a potential failure by a drinking water supplier?

We would appreciate this clarification in order to proceed with your request.

Rosie Bowman | Governance Advisor

Taumata Arowai
Level 2, 10 Brandon Street
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
taumataarowai.govt.nz

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From: Barry Murphy

Dear Info,

Yes I’d like to know how I make a complaint so the council can be investigated for the claim they made that the towns water supply is only provisioned for the residents capacit (1200) and not for those that have holiday homes (tourists).

Previous statements by the ceo of council has stated they have to build the system for full capacity of all houses built, so that would be 12-14,000 people in Ohakune.

I would like to have this investigated.

Yours sincerely,

Barry Murphy

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From: Info

Tçnâ koe Barry

Thank you for your email.

Please take this email as an acknowledgement. We note your clarification and will proceed with answering your request.

Ngâ mihi
Rosie

Rosie Bowman | Governance Advisor

Taumata Arowai
Level 2, 10 Brandon Street
Wellington 6140, New Zealand

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From: Info

Attachment Final response to OIA CAS 01778 T6K4R6.pdf
266K Download View as HTML

OIA Ref: CAS-01778-T6K4R6

Kia ora Barry,

The Department of Internal Affairs transferred your Official Information Act request of 25 August 2023 to us.

Please find attached our response.

Ngā mihi
Rosie

Rosie Bowman | Governance Advisor

Taumata Arowai
Level 2, 10 Brandon Street
Wellington 6140, New Zealand

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Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Department of Internal Affairs only: