Reframing Reforms: New Zealand’s Water Sector Transition with Jon Lamonte, Former Chief Executive of Watercare, New Zealand

In this episode of the Exec Exchange podcast, host Piers Clark speaks with Jon Lamonte, former Chief Executive of Watercare, about his path from defense and transport leadership into New Zealand’s largest water utility and the shifting landscape of national water reform. Lamonte describes Watercare’s Auckland-scale operations, its move toward customer focus and data, and the fragmented pre-reform sector of many council-run providers. He explains the Labour Government’s compulsory Three Waters Reform proposal, the controversy around co-governance with Māori, and the later reform that shifted toward 10 entities before being repealed after the 2023 election. The new voluntary Local Water Done Well approach is creating a mixed set of council-controlled organizations and groupings, alongside stronger regulation from Taumata Arowai and the Commerce Commission, new funding flexibility, and hoped-for investment after years of neglect.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:36 Jon’s Career Journey01:49 Why Watercare Hired Him02:56 Watercare and Auckland Overview04:16 New Zealand Sector Landscape04:53 Three Waters Reform Plan05:53 Why Reform Became Controversial07:13 Affordable Water and Election Reset08:13 Local Water Done Well09:20 New Entities and Mixed Bag Future12:05 Regulators Funding and Optimism13:22 Lessons Advice and Wrap Up