A South Island-based company is set to take over the management of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in the Thames-Coromandel district from April 2026.
Citycare Water, a Council controlled organisation, ultimately owned by Christchurch City Council has been awarded the Thames-Coromandel District Council’s (TCDC) Three Waters operations and maintenance contract following a competitive tender process. The four-year contract is valued at approximately $60 million and includes options to extend for up to six additional years through two three-year extensions.
The agreement covers all day-to-day operations and maintenance of the district’s water infrastructure and will see Citycare Water replace Veolia Water NZ, which has delivered these services for the past decade.
Acting Mayor Terry Walker welcomed the announcement and acknowledged Veolia’s contributions.
“We’re pleased to welcome Citycare Water to Thames-Coromandel to join our support team of contractors helping to provide essential services to our residents, holiday home owners, and visitors,” said Walker.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank Veolia Water NZ for the very good work they have done over the last 10 years. The Coromandel is a challenging district to serve, with its rugged terrain, frequent road closures due to weather, and influx of holidaymakers. Veolia has met these challenges admirably, and we wish them well going forward.”
Citycare Water currently operates Three Waters services across several major centres including Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Chief Executive Officer Tim Gibson said the company is excited to bring its capabilities to the Coromandel.
“We are thrilled to be awarded this contract and are looking forward to partnering with TCDC to deliver smart, data-driven solutions that protect the environment and support community wellbeing,” Gibson said.
“Our team is known for going the extra mile, and this new contract will be no exception. We bring strong delivery experience and a commitment to excellence — all of which will benefit the Thames-Coromandel community.”
The new contract begins 1 April 2026, marking a significant shift in the delivery of essential water services across the district.
