Councils all over the country are pushing back against the government's water reform plans.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta wants to create four water bodies to deal with all water infrastructure in New Zealand.

Whangarei, Auckland, and Canterbury councils are strongly opposed to this.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says it’d have to be a pretty good deal to entice her into this plan.

“The only thing that is in the dashboard that we can see that gives us pause for thought is that our ratepayers could potentially be paying less in the future for their waters if we join in with our neighbouring councils.”

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says he doesn’t accept Mahuta’s explanation for why Aucklanders should be paying for Northland councils’ water.

“We’ll create an entity where Auckland puts in 92 percent of the assets – 90 percent of the population – and it has some say over 40 percent of the representation on the governance of that organisation.”

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