Water is not a luxury. It is a basic human necessity — and for many in Gisborne, the thought of paying even more to access it is unthinkable.
As the cost of living rises, locals warn that adding new charges for water could result in: Evictions and mortgage defaults, Increased hardship for renters, A widening gap between generations in home ownership. A New Zealand Herald article this week stated “Water rates in Central Hawke’s Bay are set to triple over the next decade”
“Our children and grandchildren already have it hard,” said one local grandparent. “This could be what pushes them out of Gisborne altogether”. Many are calling this a bureaucratic storming of our rights, and demanding stronger consultation, better transparency, and a halt to rushed decisions that ignore community wellbeing. If we don’t speak up now, it may be too late
THIS ISN’T WATER DONE WELL, IT’S LOCAL WALLETS DONE WELL
