Experienced board appointed for Central Districts Water
Published on March 17, 2026
Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Rangitīkei District Council and Ngā Tapuwae o Hau have taken another significant step toward establishing Central Districts Water, confirming the appointment of an experienced independent board to govern the new organisation.
Central Districts Water is a jointly owned council-controlled organisation that will deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the three districts from 1 July 2027.
Seventy-eight people applied to join the Central Districts Water Board. Interviews were undertaken by representatives of the Shareholders’ Committee.
The full Shareholders’ Committee, made up of the mayors, elected members and representatives from Ngā Tapuwae o Hau, met on Friday and appointed the board.
Ngā Tapuwae o Hau is a rōpū (working group) formed by the collective iwi across the three council regions to represent them.
The committee will now work with the board to set expectations and support the establishment of Central Districts Water. The board members are:
Hon Steve Maharey, CNZM (Chair) has extensive governance experience across Central and Local Government as well as internationally. He is a former Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, Senior Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament for Palmerston North, Palmerston North City Councillor and academic.
Dr Sue Bidrose has served as Chief Executive of both Dunedin City Council and AgResearch and holds governance roles across commercial, financial services and public sector organisations.
Dave Chambers is the former Chief Executive of Watercare Services and former Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises (Countdown/Woolworths New Zealand), bringing more than 40 years’ experience leading large, complex and customer-focused organisations.
Jon Nichols is a professional director with extensive experience across regulated infrastructure, energy and public-sector assurance, including governance roles with electricity networks, airports and ports.
Linda Robertson is an experienced professional director and board chair with deep expertise in governance, audit and risk, financial markets and investment oversight, holding governance roles across energy, banking and large investment organisations.
Pahia Turia is an experienced iwi and asset governance leader with more than 25 years’ involvement across post-settlement governance, primary industries and regional economic development, including as Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana.
Shareholders’ Committee Chair Dr Chris Gallavin says the calibre of the Board reflects the importance of establishing strong governance from the outset.
“We were very impressed by the calibre of applicants and the depth of experience, professionalism and practical expertise of those appointed. I’m confident the public and ratepayers will take reassurance from the strength of this board. The Shareholders’ Committee look forward to working with them to build an effective, cost-efficient and resilient water company and to strengthen confidence in the stewardship of one of our communities’ most critical infrastructure services.”
The Board will now begin its induction process and start work supporting the establishment of Central Districts Water.
Board Chair Hon Steve Maharey says the Board’s immediate focus is on supporting the establishment work already underway and ensuring the organisation is well prepared for the responsibilities it will take on in 2027.
“The next stage of work is about building a strong and capable organisation and working closely with councils, iwi, staff and our communities across the three districts. We will meet in person for the first time after Easter, and that will include meeting Elected Members from the three councils, key government officials involved in water reform, and staff involved in water services in the three districts. Our role is to ensure Central Districts Water is set up well from the start so it can deliver reliable, and efficient water services for the communities it serves.”
Palmerston North City Council’s Deputy Chief Executive Chris Dhyrberg will continue to support the board and Shareholders’ Committee as the Executive Director for the establishment program until a Chief Executive for the organisation is hired.
Central Districts Water will begin operating from 1 July 2027. Until that time, water services will continue to be delivered by Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Rangitīkei District Council, as they are today.
One place for information
A new Central Districts Water website and social media channels are now live, providing a single source of information for residents across Horowhenua, Palmerston North and Rangitīkei.
The website includes updates on the establishment of the organisation, information about governance and oversight, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.centraldistrictswater.co.nz to stay informed as the work progresses. They can also search Central Districts Water on Facebook and LinkedIN for updates.
Full biographies for board members are below.
Board Biographies
Hon. Steve Maharey, CNZM – Chair
BA. MA (Hons)
Hon Steve Maharey, CNZM brings many years of leadership and governance experience in New Zealand and internationally. He served as the Member of Parliament for Palmerston North for 18 years and was a senior Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios including Social Development and Employment, Education, Housing, Broadcasting and Research, Science and Technology. After leaving Parliament, Steve became Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, leading the university across its Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington campuses. In recent years, he has chaired several major Crown organisations including ACC, PHARMAC, UCoL and Education New Zealand. He has extensive local government experience as a City Councillor, a consultant and as a member of a wide variety of local boards. Earlier in his career, he was a Snr. Lecturer in Sociology and a Jnr. Lecturer in Business Administration at Massey University. Steve brings a strong understanding of governance, public services, local government, infrastructure and community wellbeing.
Dave Chambers – Director
Dave Chambers brings more than 40 years’ experience across large organisations in New Zealand and Australia. Most recently he served as Chief Executive of Watercare Services, New Zealand’s largest council-owned water organisation, where he was responsible for delivering drinking water and wastewater services to Auckland and overseeing major infrastructure programmes.
Before that, he spent many years with Progressive Enterprises (Countdown/Woolworths New Zealand), including two terms as Managing Director leading national operations. Throughout his career Dave has focused on building strong organisations that deliver reliable services for customers and communities. His experience leading complex, service-focused organisations and his deep knowledge of water services infrastructure bring valuable practical insight to the Central Districts Water board.
Jon Nichols – Director
(FCA)
Jon Nichols is an experienced professional director with more than 30 years’ experience focussing on financial and commercial growth strategies, risk management and regional collaboration. A Fellow Chartered Accountant, he has held governance roles across a wide range of infrastructure organisations including electricity networks, airports and ports. He currently chairs Hawke’s Bay Airport and serves as a director of Unison Networks, Eastland Generation and ETEL Transformers. Jon has also held governance roles with Electra, Napier Port, Palmerston North Airport, Eastland Group and Centralines, where he served as Chair. He has also previously served as independent chair of audit and risk at Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust in Hawkes Bay. His financial expertise and extensive governance experience bring strong oversight and accountability to the board coupled with a deep understanding of the importance of infrastructure to communities.
Linda Robertson – Director
B.Com; Dip Bank; C.F.Inst.D; GAICD; D.F.INFINZ; CGP; GCB.D)
Linda Robertson is a highly experienced professional director with deep expertise in governance, financial markets, investment and risk management. She currently chairs Crown Irrigation Investments Limited and Central Lakes Trust, overseeing large investment portfolios that support regional development and community outcomes. Linda also serves as a director of several major organisations including Horizon Energy Group, Kordia, Invercargill City Holdings and SBS Bank, where she plays key roles in audit, risk and investment oversight. Earlier in her career she held senior leadership roles in treasury, risk and procurement across the energy and banking sectors with organisations such as Meridian Energy, Transpower, Contact Energy and ANZ. Her strong financial background and extensive governance experience bring valuable insight to long-term infrastructure investment and responsible stewardship of public assets.
Pahia Turia – Director
Pahia Turia brings extensive governance experience and strong connections to the Central Districts region. Raised in dairy farming in the Rangitīkei, he has deep whakapapa links across Rangitīkei, Whanganui and Manawatū and brings a lifelong understanding of land, water and intergenerational stewardship. Pahia is Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa and its asset holding company, overseeing a diverse portfolio across property, forestry, agriculture, horticulture and fisheries. He also chairs Te Ohu Kaimoana and serves as a director of Te Wai Māori, organisations responsible for significant Māori commercial and environmental interests. Pahia has played a leading role in national discussions on freshwater and resource management and has extensive experience working across iwi, local government and government agencies. His governance experience and strong regional connections bring an important perspective on long-term stewardship of water resources.
Dr Sue Bidrose – Director
Dr Sue Bidrose has extensive leadership experience across local government, research organisations and governance roles. She served as Chief Executive of Dunedin City Council for almost 7 years, leading the council through major infrastructure investment and improvements in services for residents. More recently she was Chief Executive of AgResearch, one of New Zealand’s Crown research institutes, where she led a large organisation of more than 700 staff working across science, agriculture and innovation, a third of whom are based in Palmerston North. Sue now holds several governance roles across both the local and central government public sectors, commercial, and community-based organisations and is also the Chair of the Local Government Commission, contributing to national decisions about local representation and governance structures. With a doctorate in psychology (Otago) and post-graduate studies in organisational leadership (Säid Business School at Oxford University), she brings deep experience in leading complex organisations and working closely with communities.