Latest news with #localownership
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Selwyn Water company 'continues local ownership, prevents privatisation'
The Selwyn waste water treatment plant stays in the hands of locals under the new plan, says the mayor. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Selwyn District Council has become the first in the country to establish a company to manage water and wastewater. Selwyn Water Limited was set up at a cost of $2 million under the government's Local Water Done Well legislation, which let councils create entities that could borrow more than councils were able to on their own. It would provide drinking and wastewater services to about 30,000 households and more than 8000 businesses. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton was joined by Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg at a formal launch event at the Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Broughton said it was a milestone for the district and would future-proof its water infrastructure. "A stand-alone CCO [council controlled organisation] to manage our water and wastewater means we have continued local ownership, prevents the privatisation of our water assets, it means we think about a long-term future and brings in governance excellence to the management of our water," he said. The council voted for the model in April, despite about 87 percent of 424 public submissions against the proposal and in favour of keeping water services in-house. Broughton said public conerns about potential higher costs and reduced local control had been addressed. "We take all community feedback really seriously, we had hearings, we had people come and talk to us about what they had written down and during that process it became really clear the community congratulated us as a district for the investment that had already been made and that was part of the reason; 'why change it because you're already successful now'," he said. "Another key factor was that people were scared of privatisation, so we've made sure that has been dealt with too and the primary legislation meant that that couldn't happen as well. The continued local ownership and influence for the community is also taken account in the set-up because this isn't a separation for the community. Selwyn Water will continue to hear from our community to be a part of future decisions." Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Water charges were expected to be higher for ratepayers initially because of set up costs but cheaper after about 10 years. "We put aside $2 million to set up the CCO and that has been paid for and some of that will be repaid through water charges. Our water charges in Selwyn have always been separate from rates and capital values of properties so that will continue with the new organisation being set up," Broughton said. "Anything we do with water needs to be done sensibly and thinking not just about today but for the generations to come as well." An average 14.2 per cent rates rise took effect for Selwyn ratepayers from July. The council said an in-house model would limit its ability to borrow for large-scale infrastructure projects needed to support Selwyn's rapid growth. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon The CCO had the ability to borrow up to 500 percent of its revenue through the Local Government Funding Agency, compared to the 280 percent cap for councils managing water in-house, it said. Local Government Minister Simon Watts said the launch of Selwyn district's water service entity marked a significant milestone of water reform. The council was the the first to get its plan approved by the government ahead of the national deadline on 3 September. "I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months," Watts said. "Selwyn District has demonstrated it has a financially sustainable plan for the delivery of water services that meet health, quality, and environmental standards, along with community expectations. "I will be watching with interest how Selwyn Water manages the projected price increases for consumers during the initial years of their plan. I expect the Commerce Commission, as the economic regulator, will closely monitor to ensure the delivery of forecast levels of capital investment, justify the price." Over the next six months, the council would transfer relevant assets, staff, and systems to Selwyn Water. Stormwater services would remain managed in-house by the council. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Casago Focused On Togethering And Localization Travel Trends
If you ask Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago, what makes a great short-term rental (STR) experience, he won't start with technology or price. He'll tell you it begins at the front door—literally. That's because Casago's vision for the future of vacation rentals hinges on something deeply analog in a digital age: local ownership, local stewardship, and human connection. A person rolls two suitcases with children seated on them as travelers pass through Miami ... More International Airport during Memorial Day weekend on May 24, 2025 in Miami, Florida. This Memorial Day, travel is expected to break records according to AAA, with an estimated 45.1 million travelers. About 3.6 million of those expected travelers will be flying to their destinations. (Photo by Giorgio VIera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) And as the STR market evolves, Casago's franchise-first model may prove to be one of the most disruptive plays yet. Casago recently completed a merger that positions it among the largest full-service short-term rental operators in the U.S., with over $2 billion in annual reservation revenue. But Schwab is quick to clarify—it's not just about scale, it's about structure. 'We're taking what was a centralized consolidation model and decentralizing it,' Schwab told me. 'Each market becomes a Casago flag, owned and operated by a local franchisee who knows the community, the homes, and the guests.' Integration Into The Local Community Casago offers full-service property management with boots on the ground. Franchise owners don't just list properties; they maintain, clean, and manage them with hospitality-level precision. This model creates accountability and builds trust—two things that matter deeply to both guests and homeowners. According to data from AirDNA cited in Skift, STR supply growth has slowed to 5.2% in 2024—down from 7% in 2023 and 18% in 2022. Schwab isn't alarmed. In fact, he views it as a market maturing. 'Real estate prices are up, and the post-pandemic bump has normalized,' Schwab explained. 'But demand is stable. And in some segments, like large-group rentals, it's thriving.' Togethering In Group Travel Casago focuses heavily on nightly rentals, especially for families and groups seeking 'togethering'—a term Schwab uses to describe the intimate shared experiences that hotels often can't replicate. A recent Mintel study supports this shift: 40% of Gen Z and Millennial leisure travelers prefer STRs over hotels, citing better value, privacy, and the ability to cook, relax, and reconnect. This isn't just about saving money—it's about crafting moments. Despite a growing reliance on technology, Schwab believes the secret sauce of modern hospitality is making people feel seen and heard. 'Luxury today isn't marble bathrooms,' he said. 'It's a handwritten note that proves someone cared. It's a Mariachi band greeting you on your anniversary. It's human connection.' Casago uses AI to streamline back-end operations—like navigating varied cancellation policies or managing repetitive tasks—so staff can spend more time creating those personal moments. 'We're using AI to be more human, not less,' Schwab noted. Casago isn't interested in one-size-fits-all automation. 'Hospitality is local,' Schwab said. 'And the closer the decision-maker is to the front door, the better the outcomes for guests, homeowners, and communities.' That level of oversight matters. According to Skift, guest satisfaction scores are significantly higher for STRs than hotels, especially in larger properties where shared experiences matter. Schwab attributes that gap not just to amenities but to intent. 'You're not knocking on your grandparent's hotel door hoping they're in. You're sitting with them in a shared living room, making memories.' Schwab also stresses the importance of proper guest placement and thoughtful community alignment. 'There's a place for rowdy golfers and a place for families,' he said. 'It's our job to know the difference and place them accordingly.' Casago embraces regulation too—but only the fair kind. 'If we don't self-discipline as an industry, someone else will do it for us—and we may not like how that turns out,' Schwab warned. 'Fair regulation helps weed out the bad actors and makes room for the professionals.' As the industry tilts toward professionalization, Casago is carving a path that merges operational excellence with emotional intelligence. Its franchise model may be the key to unlocking hyper-local scale—a rare feat in hospitality. And in an era where 'local' is the new luxury, that might be the smartest move in travel today.
