Published 29th of August 2025

Five councils – Hutt City, Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Greater Wellington – have today delivered a joint water services delivery plan to the Government.

The Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery 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, is due to take over from Wellington Water Ltd on 1 July 2026.

The plan says that Metro Water will have the resources, independence, and region-wide perspective to effectively manage and improve drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services for current and future communities, rather than being limited by council funding, electoral and decision-making cycles.

The plan meets the requirements of the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy.

The next steps in establishing Metro Water are underway, including finalising key documents such as the councils’ Statement of Expectations for Metro Water and principles for a Customer Charter, and recruiting Establishment Board directors and an interim Chief Executive.

The metropolitan Wellington WSDP documents, including a short overview of the plan, are available on council websites. Read more here: www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Council/Plans-and-strategies/Local-Water-Done-Well-Reform?transfer=57941785-9924-4455-b7d1-d3c1ccdb64f0

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

30/08/25