Labour Begins Backtrack on Controversial Entrenchment of Parts of the Three Waters Legislation

November 28, 2022

Labour is in the early stages of a backdown on its controversial decision to entrench parts of the Three Waters legislation - a move constitutional experts said set a “dangerous precedent”.

The move came as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins admitted to not being aware that a fresh move to entrench a part of the bill had been put until after it was passed. Official advice provided to Local Government minister Nanaia Mahuta more than a year ago warned that even Labour’s original entrenchment proposal could be constitutionally damaging.

Ardern said Cabinet considered the issue of the entrenchment clause on Monday and resolved to kick the matter back to Parliament’s Business Committee - a cross-party group of MPs that discuss the running of Parliament.

It now appears likely the part of the bill that was entrenched will be removed before the legislation is finally passed in the next sitting block.

This is one they got caught on, but what else is in this legislation that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Leader of the House Chris Hipkins just “aren’t aware of”?