National Engineering Design Standards framework

Overview

We want your help shaping the framework for National Engineering Design Standards.

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is developing National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS), which is a new national regulatory framework for water infrastructure under the Water Services Act 2021 (Part 3).

What are the NEDS?

Layer 1: Mandatory performance standards  

The NEDS will set national performance standards covering the lifecycle of all water services infrastructure – covering the design, construction, operational performance, maintenance and decommissioning of water supply, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

Water service providers (councils and water organisations), developers and others such as contractors will be required to comply with the standards when new infrastructure is built, or existing infrastructure is upgraded.

Performance standards focus on what infrastructure must achieve, rather than setting out how exactly those outcomes must be achieved. This will allow water service providers to take flexible design approaches and innovate, as long as they meet the standards.  

Layer 2: Ways to comply with the standards  

Optional codes of practice will provide recognised “deemed-to-comply” pathways, where following a code will enable compliance with the mandatory requirements. Codes of practice can be thought of as “how-to-build” guides that, like an acceptable solution under the Building Code, are a way to comply with the mandatory standards. The codes of practice will include detailed technical specifications, design requirements and engineering guidance.

Water service providers can approve an alternative solution to a code of practice. Alternative solutions must fully comply with the mandatory standards and are a way to ensure that local or innovative ways to build or renew infrastructure can continue as part of the framework.   

Layer 3: Water service providers will administer the system 

Water service providers will administer the new arrangements by inspecting and approving private developments to ensure they comply with the mandatory standards before they connect with the provider’s infrastructure or vest in their ownership. Councils must implement water services bylaws setting out the process for inspection and approval.

Water service providers must also ensure that infrastructure they upgrade or maintain complies with the mandatory standards.  

Understanding the new framework 

We’ve developed a range of materials to help you develop your feedback: 

• Read the proposal document 
• Visit our website for more information. 

Have your say by 11 September 2026 

Feedback on the proposed approach is due by 5pm on Friday 11 September 2026. You can provide feedback by using one of these options: 

• complete this online survey 
• complete the information about yourself and then attach a document summarising your feedback to the online survey
• send responses to the questions found in the proposal document to: 
  • neds@taumataarowai.govt.nz  
  • via post to Level 2, 10 Brandon Street, PO Box 628, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.

Please include your name, and/or the name of your organisation, and contact details with your feedback. 

If you start responding to the questions online and want to return to it later, select the ‘save and come back later’ option at the bottom of the page to save progress. 

Questions? 

If you have any questions about this engagement, please email us at neds@taumataarowai.govt.nz.