Better Off Funding
The Better Off Funding programme was established by the New Zealand Government as part of the Three Waters Reform support package for councils. Its purpose is to help local councils invest in projects that improve the wellbeing of their communities — supporting initiatives that make a lasting, positive difference.
For Tararua District Council, this funding provides an opportunity to deliver projects that strengthen community resilience, improve infrastructure, support local facilities, and enhance the places where people live, work, and play.
Although the national Three Waters Reform process has since evolved, the Better Off Funding remains a key tool for councils to progress locally driven initiatives that align with community priorities and long-term wellbeing.
Better Off Funding in Tararua: Progress to date
As at 30 June 2025, Tararua District Council has claimed 71% ($2.69 million) of its total $3.8 million Better Off Funding allocation. The funding supports five key projects aimed at improving community wellbeing and resilience across the district. Of these projects, one – Building Capacity with Iwi for the Benefit of Our District – has been completed, with the remaining projects progressing through various stages of planning and delivery.
Tararua District Council’s Better Off Funding agreement runs until 30 June 2027, giving Council time to deliver and complete all approved projects within the funding allocation. This timeframe allows for careful planning and delivery across multiple initiatives, ensuring that each project contributes to long-term community wellbeing and aligns with Council priorities.
| Project | Better Off Funding allocation | Status of project |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Water Infrastructure Enhancement | $1.95 million | In progress |
| Building Capacity with Iwi for the Benefit of Out District | $500,000 | Complete |
| Digitisation of Council Property Records and the introduction of E-Services | $600,000 | In progress |
| Future Community Urban Design | $700,000 | In progress |
| Contribution towards the Dannevirke Skatepark design | $50,000 | In progress |
This major project is investing $1.95 million in improving Tararua’s water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, with work to be completed by 30 June 2026. The goal is to strengthen the district’s water systems, ensure compliance with consent and safety standards, and support the development of future water service delivery plans.
Key areas of focus include:
- Developing a Demand Management and Water Conservation Plan
- Investigating resilience options for the Dannevirke Impounded Supply
- Managing sludge disposal processes
- Updating the Trade Waste Bylaw and creating a Backflow Prevention Strategy
- Enhancing 3 Waters asset data to support long-term planning
Progress to date:
- A Demand Management and Water Conservation Plan has been completed, and a business case for universal water metering was presented in June 2025.
- The Trade Waste Bylaw was approved in April 2025, a Backflow Prevention Strategy is under development, and significant sludge removal has been carried out at a wastewater treatment plant.
- The Dannevirke Impounded Water Supply is under active management, with monitoring, repairs, and contingency measures in place. Planning is underway for a new reservoir, pretreatment upgrades, and a permanent pumping solution.
- Three new staff have joined the Wastewater and Asset Management team to strengthen data quality, compliance, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Together, these improvements are helping to build a more resilient, compliant, and sustainable three waters network for Tararua’s communities.
This project focused on strengthening engagement and collaboration with iwi across the Tararua District – particularly in relation to environmental (taiao) matters and Resource Management Act (RMA) processes.
Over two years (to 30 September 2025), the $500,000 project helped strengthen the quality of engagement,, the quality of information shared, and overall collaboration between iwi and Council.
The funding supported dedicated resources to:
- Facilitate and support engagement between iwi and Council
- Coordinate site visits and cultural activities as part of consenting processes
- Strengthen relationships within consenting teams
- Support improvements to the consenting and charging framework
- Enhance how environmental matters are considered in decision-making
Feedback from iwi has been positive, with strong interest in continuing the arrangement beyond the initial project period. One key outcome from this partnership has been the development of an induction programme for new staff, helping ensure lasting understanding and respect for iwi partnership principles within Council.
This project is focused on modernising how Tararua District Council stores and provides access to information by digitising property records and developing a suite of online e-services.
With a $600,000 budget and delivery timeframe through to June 2027 (or earlier if e-services go live sooner), the project aims to make Council services more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly.
Priority 1 was to complete the digitisation of property records and create a publicly accessible online building information service. The digitisation work is now complete, and planning is underway for the public e-service launch.
Priority 2 focuses on introducing additional e-services, prioritised by community demand, regulatory requirements, and value for users. These include:
- Cemetery management
- Online payments
- Dog registration
- Facility bookings
- Community heritage database
The delivery of later stages, such as the Community Heritage Database, will depend on the remaining funding available within the Better Off Funding budget.
This $700,000 project is helping Tararua District Council plan for sustainable, well-designed growth across the district. Its aim is to ensure our towns and rural communities develop in ways that enhance community wellbeing, protect local character, and make the best use of existing and future infrastructure.
The project supports the development of the Urban Growth Strategy and related urban design work that will inform Council’s District Plan Review. Together, these will provide a long-term (30-year) view of where and how Tararua can grow – identifying suitable areas for new housing, business and industrial development, and guiding the design of connected, liveable communities.
Key deliverables include:
- Urban Growth Strategy – outlines growth projections and identifies future residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
- Infrastructure response planning to ensure water, wastewater, and transport systems can support growth.
- Urban Enhancement Strategy – focuses on improving public spaces and strengthening each town’s unique identity.
- Development of an E-Plan, making planning information easier for the public to access online.
The project has been extended to 31 March 2026, reflecting delays caused by the Government’s Plan Stop Policy, which paused all draft District Plan Reviews. There remains some uncertainty around when the final milestone – implementing the E-Plan – will be completed.
By taking a proactive approach to urban design and growth planning, this project ensures Tararua is ready to manage change, attract investment, and create thriving, sustainable communities for the future.