Source: Porirua City Council
The plan for delivering water services to metropolitan Wellington residents and businesses through a new organisation with new funding and governance arrangements has been accepted by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan was submitted by five councils – Hutt City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Greater Wellington – as required under the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy and legislation.
The plan is based on establishing a new multi-council-owned water organisation in partnership with mana whenua iwi Ngāti Toa Rangitira and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika. The new organisation, with the interim name Metro Water, will operate from 1 July 2026.
The Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) says that Metro Water will have the resources, independence and region-wide perspective to effectively manage and improve drinking water, wastewater and piped stormwater services for current and future communities, rather than being limited by council funding, electoral and decision-making cycles.
Transition planning is progressing.
A joint Partners’ Committee will be established to oversee Metro Water, made up of representatives from each partner council and mana whenua.
The foundation governance documents for Metro Water , including the constitution and partners’ agreement, will be presented to each of the five partner councils for approval in December 2025.
Wellington Water Limited will continue to deliver water services on behalf of councils under the current model until Metro Water takes over on 1 July 2026.
