Auditor-General's report published, Introducing our work programme – Water management
Kia ora
In our Annual Plan 2017/18, we said that the theme of our annual work programme would be Water. Today, we’ve published our report Introducing our work programme – Water management. This report describes in further detail why we are interested in water management, the topics we will explore, and our
overall water work programme.
New Zealanders rely on water for our health, our economy, and our lifestyle. For Māori, water is an important spiritual
and cultural resource that is regarded as a taonga. It is essential that water resources are well managed. The way we
are living and how we are meeting our economic and social aspirations are affecting this critical natural resource.
The Office’s unique view of the public sector and independence enables us to look at the water management system as a
whole – across public organisations in both central and local government and beyond political cycles. We will consider
how well these organisations are carrying out their water management responsibilities, to understand how well New
Zealand is positioned for the future.
We intend to provide independent assurance to Parliament, the public sector organisations that we audit, and New
Zealanders about the state of water management. We will highlight any improvements that are needed in the public
management of water and in the accountability and transparency of organisations for their decision-making and
performance.
Visit our website for more information about our water-related work.