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the controversy around co-governance with Māori, and the later reform that shifted toward 10 entities before being repealed after the 2023 election.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 Intro 00:36 Jon’s Career Journey 01:49 Why Watercare Hired Him 02:56 Watercare and Auckland Overview 04:16 New Zealand Sector Landscape 04:53 Three Waters Reform Plan 05:53 Why Reform Became Controversial 07:13 Affordable Water and Election Reset 08:13 Local Water Done Well 09:20 New Entities and Mixed Bag Future 12:05 Regulators Funding and Optimism 13:22 Lessons Advice and Wrap Up
