Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai (the Authority), New Zealand’s dedicated water services regulator, has launched its refreshed website, designed and developed in partnership with Somar Digital.
The new site delivers a modern, secure, and user-focused digital presence(external link) to better serve communities across Aotearoa.
The redesign was informed by extensive user testing, resulting in simpler navigation that makes it easier for people to find the information they need. A new interactive decision tool, developed by Somar Digital, supports new suppliers by guiding them to identify their supply type and access a dedicated page with tailored guidance to help them provide safe drinking water.
Accessibility was a key focus from the start of the project. Working alongside Aleph Accessibility(external link) and Intopia(external link), the site has been built to meet high web accessibility standards so that it can be used confidently by all New Zealanders and meets the latest NZ Government Web Standards.
The project introduced improved functionality to give the Authority’s team greater flexibility to create new and engaging content. This means the website can continue to evolve in step with the Authority’s regulatory role and the needs of the communities it serves.
The website is hosted on the Somar Digital Cloud, a fully managed hosting environment underpinned by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This platform provides reliability, scalability, and strong safeguards to protect data and support future growth.
“We’re proud to have partnered with the Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai to deliver a website that is designed first and foremost for its users,” says Fiona Reid, CEO of Somar Digital. “The new site makes information easier to find, ensures accessibility for everyone, and provides the Authority with the tools it needs to keep content fresh and engaging.”
The launch marks the beginning of a long-term strategy to ensure the Authority’s website remains a sustainable, future-proofed platform that helps to protect and enhance New Zealand’s water services.
About Somar Digital
Somar Digital is a Wellington-based digital agency specialising in designing and developing secure, user-friendly websites for government, not-for-profits, community organisations and the private sector. With expertise in Silverstripe CMS, AWS hosting, and user-centred design, Somar Digital delivers digital solutions that are accessible, scalable, and built for impact.
