Upper Hutt City Council has updated its Long Term Plan 2024-2034 to reflect the transfer of water services to the new regional water organisation, Tiaki Wai.

From 1 July 2026, responsibility for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater will move from Council to a new jointly-owned water organisation, Tiaki Wai, as part of Government-mandated water reform.

This water services amendment is being done via a streamlined, legislated compliance process which is not audited or consulted on, as it is a continuation of the Government’s Local Water Done Well process and Council decisions taken on the reform since 2024.

With Councils deciding last year to establish Tiaki Wai, this Long Term Plan 2024-2034 amendment must be done to get water ‘off the Council books’ by removing water services from its budgets, assets and debt.

It is the next step to implement Council’s approved joint Water Services Delivery Plan for the Wellington metropolitan area and is a legal requirement contained in the water reform legislation.

This amendment removes all water-related figures from Year 3 of the plan onwards, when the transfer takes effect.

The financial information remains the same as originally adopted in the LTP 2024–2034, minus water services. These figures shouldn’t be read in isolation, as removing water significantly changes Council’s overall financial picture.

Key changes include transferring $106 million of debt and $576 million of water assets to Tiaki Wai and recognising Council’s shareholding in the new organisation.

The update ensures Council’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034 accurately reflects the services it will deliver and its financial responsibilities once water services transfer to Tiaki Wai.

The amended Long Term Plan 2024-2034 can be found here, alternatively, hard copies are available at the Central Library and Civic Centre reception.

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

24/02/26