Local mayors around the country are lining up for a fight as the controversial three waters reforms approach another deadline.
The plan on the table would shift control of drinking, waste and storm water infrastructure from 67 councils into four big regional water authorities.
The eight week consultation period for local government ends this week and at some point councils will have to opt in or out.
The National Party says the government's heading for some hard decisions given the huge amount of opposition - either change the law to force councils to join, or scrap the plan and start again.
Political editor Jane Patterson reports.
