Given it would include Hamilton as a large metro, it would be focused on delivering a very large capital works programme. However, financial modelling indicates that cost increases for customers would be higher at about 10 percent (inflated) a year for the first eight years of operation.

Potential pros

• Positioned to support growth in north Waipā (including provision of the southern/sub-regional wastewater treatment plant).
• This CCO would include three of the largest Waikato council populations – these are each Tier one growth councils.
• Provides opportunity to align with, and give effect to, Te Ture Whaimana (the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River).
• Fewer partners meaning initial CCO set-up might be less complex.
• Will be a metro/growth focused opportunity for workforce.

Potential cons

• Less affordable for the community
• Up to a five-year transition period
• Stronger focus on metro issues rather than broader rural provincial issues
• Efficiencies would take longer to be realised.