New Zealand's Commerce Commission will be examining Watercare's proposed $15.2 billion, 10-year investment plan, which Aucklanders will fund through their rates.

Residents in Auckland, New Zealand, will see a 7% increase in their water bills, in addition to an 8% rates rise, to help fund Watercare's decade-long plan to improve water infrastructure.

Reviews have found that faulty alarm and surge protection systems led to the Mahurangi River wastewater spill last October, for which Watercare has taken responsibility. Nine oyster farms are being compensated a total of $2.75 million by Watercare following the contamination, which forced farmers to dump thousands of oysters.

Auckland councillors have rejected proposed 33 percent payrises for Watercare, with Chairperson Daniel Newman stating that the amounts were 'well beyond what is reasonable to the people of Auckland,' amid public scrutiny.

Several Auckland suburbs have been issued a boil water notice following possible E coli bacteria contamination, leading to closures for local businesses like the Hill House Cafe. An explainer details the health implications of E coli and what the notice means for residents.

Auckland's Watercare chief executive, Jamie Sinclair, announced a $15 billion plan for the city's wastewater infrastructure, addressing decades of underinvestment amidst continued urban growth.

An E. coli alert and boil-water notice issued by Watercare remain in effect in New Zealand, with authorities revealing the most likely cause of the contamination.