It was announced on Friday that Local Government Minister Simon Watts has decided to use legislation in the Local Water Done Well reforms, to allow the Commerce Commission to monitor Wellington Water. This requires Wellington Water to report key performance and financial management measures to the Commerce Commission.

Watts said that the decision came after two reports released earlier this month highlighting poor financial management at the company.

The mayors of Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt, and Porirua are supportive of this decision. Anita Baker, mayor of Porirua mentioned “I hope it doesn’t take too much of their time though to do it because at the moment we [councils] are all out consulting on our new water entity and for me its full steam ahead for the new water entity.”

Source: Radio New Zealand

29/03/25