RITS v2 Consultation Update
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback during the consultation on RITS v2. We appreciate the effort and thought submitters put into reviewing the document and sharing their perspectives.
We received over 350 individual comments from 587 submitters. Each submission was carefully considered as part of the review process, and a significant proportion of the feedback helped shape the final version of RITS v2. While it was not possible to incorporate every comment in full, we estimate that around 80% of the feedback has been reflected in the updated document, either directly or through broader changes informed by common themes raised during consultation.
There may not be a one-to-one correspondence between individual feedback and the final wording. In some cases, comments needed to be balanced against statutory requirements, consistency across councils, and the overall intent of the document. However, all contributions played an important role in strengthening the final outcome.
Version 1 will remain available for at least six months.
*NOTE: Once a document has been downloaded, Co-Lab cannot control or update that copy. Users are responsible for ensuring they are using the most current version.
The Regional Infrastructure Technical Specification (RITS) is a document that sets out how to design and construct transportation, water supply, wastewater, stormwater, and landscape infrastructure across participating councils’ areas. It also includes earthworks and geotechnical requirements, as well as an acceptable products section.
Before RITS, each council had its own infrastructure technical specification, resulting in differing standards across the Waikato region. In 2016, Co-Lab took ownership of creating a regional document to provide a single guide and standard specifications for building public infrastructure. Today, the RITS is used by nine participating councils in the Waikato region.
By Councils: When setting up contracts for transportation works, three waters, and landscaping, councils refer to RITS to define specifications and standards that contractors must meet. This ensures certainty about materials (e.g., pipe types) and construction standards.
By Developers: Developers providing infrastructure in subdivisions or developments can use RITS to meet council resource consent conditions. It offers a standardised approach that reduces cost and effort for developers and their consultants.
While alternative solutions can still be proposed, they require additional supporting information, which may increase review time and costs.
A bi-annual review process ensures that the document remains up-to-date with current standards and practices.
The government’s Local Water Done Well legislation is now operational. Taumata Arowai (Water Services Authority) is developing standardised performance-based requirements for their upcoming Code of Practice (CoP). This CoP will be based on the draft National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS) developed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) under the former government’s Affordable Water (Three Waters) programme.
Once these performance-based requirements are released, the RITS will be reviewed and updated if necessary to ensure full compliance.
We’re committed to improving the RITS document. Click the link below to share your thoughts through the feedback form.
