As climate pressures intensify and demand on water resources continues to rise, Waikato Regional Council has endorsed a new action plan to strengthen the region’s water security.
At its June strategy and policy committee meeting, councillors endorsed the draft Water Security Action Plan, which sets out a pathway for improving drought management and water reliability across the region.
In a release, the council said the timing of the plan is particularly significant with climate agencies signalling the likelihood of a super El Niño pattern developing over the coming months, increasing the risk of drought across the region during the 2026/27 summer period.
“Our communities are under growing pressure from more frequent drought and rising demand on water resources. This action plan gives us the direction we need to prepare for those challenges and work with partners to build long term resilience,” said committee chair Ben Dunbar-Smith.
Councillors were advised that the Piako River and Waikato River catchments have been identified as the region’s highest priorities, with both facing the greatest risk of service shortfalls due to low rainfall, high demand and existing pressure on water resources.
Strengthening the region’s water security will require coordinated effort across the Waikato, said Dunbar-Smith.
“Our council alone cannot deliver the scale of change required, we need to work with other agencies to make improvements across the region. The Water Security Action Plan provides the direction and framework to focus our collective efforts.”
“While the council has various drought response mechanisms already in place, the Water Security Action Plan provides clear direction for mitigating future drought impacts,” he said.
“By planning ahead, we can avoid measures that are too costly or too late and ensure the Waikato region is better prepared for the long‑term challenge of securing reliable freshwater for communities, the environment and the economy.”
