- Rare opportunity to represent rural water interests
- Help shape a new water services entity for the region
- Three-year appointment, part time commitment
About The Role:
Southern Waters’ Stakeholders’ Representative Group (SRG) is seeking a Rural Water Representative to join SRG and bring the perspective and expertise of the region’s rural water scheme communities into its discussions. You will help ensure the interests of rural water scheme users are properly represented as Southern Waters is established.
This is a three-year appointment from October 2026.
Skills & Experience:
You will bring genuine rural credibility, with first-hand experience of the issues facing water scheme communities and the practical consequences of decisions made about them and their operations. You will bring a wide network of contacts and a good grasp of the ownership history and consultation considerations relevant to rural water schemes.
Beyond this, you will need:
- The ability to take a holistic view of rural water, with the capacity to learn about other schemes and advocate across multiple partners rather than a single interest.
- An intergenerational, open-minded outlook, with a genuine interest in future-focused and innovative approaches to rural water.
- The time and resilience to act as an ongoing interface between rural water schemes and Southern Waters, communicating clearly and consistently across a range of parties.
- Willingness to engage constructively with new regulatory requirements rather than defaulting to the status quo.
- Strong communication skills, sound financial acumen, and skills in advising and influencing, along with the resilience to navigate challenging conversations.
This is a stakeholder representative role, not a formal board governance position. Above all, this is a role for someone who can represent the collective views of rural water scheme stakeholders as a group, rather than advocating for a single scheme or personal position. Candidates from the region are preferred, though the group has been clear it is seeking the best person, and suitable candidates from adjacent areas will also be considered.
About the Company:
Southern Waters is a new joint water services entity being established by Central Otago, Clutha, Gore and Waitaki District Councils to deliver safe, reliable and financially sustainable water services for our communities. It will be the largest joint council water services entity in the South Island, delivering water, wastewater and stormwater services to approximately 84,100 people across an area of 24,702 km². Southern Waters has an $810 million capital works programme to 2034, and will manage assets valued at $684 million, including 4,787km of water pipeline, 24 urban water supplies, 67 water and wastewater treatment plants, and 17 rural water schemes.
Culture:
You will be joining a committed group of councillors, community representatives and governance leaders working together to build a foundational new organisation that will serve the region’s communities for generations.