Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): I confirmed that two decades of under-investment in three waters infrastructure will be responded to. The Government will create four publicly owned water entities to ensure that every New Zealander has access to affordable water services. This is an all-in approach that will achieve system-wide health and environmental benefits, address ongoing affordability issues for ratepayers, and align to Te Mana o te Wai aspirations. It will require legislation so that all communities benefit. The status quo is simply not viable. We have developed this model over four years, and we need to take action now. We've also heard the views of the sector and will establish a joint working group to further refine considerations relating to governance, representation, and accountability arrangements so that we can signal again that we continue to work constructively. I'm pleased this Government is prepared to tackle the long-term, serious challenges that will ensure the underpinning of regional growth and opportunity, certainty of employment, and, furthermore, investing in our waters infrastructure system.