So, Amalgamation… With such a short timeframe as of 3 months and already around 2 weeks gone, it is disappointing to see it is not even on the meeting UHCC agenda for Wednesday 20th May. Especially given the next scheduled Full Council Meeting is not until the 30th of June. And only at full Council meetings can you bring up things not on the agenda. So, Wednesday’s meeting and 2 more with last leaving next to no time.
Whether you are for or against Amalgamation we would suggest Councils fight for at least a year to get informed information to the Community and allow Community to give feedback. The Government has not allowed, in our opinion, Councils enough time to make a plan and ensure that that plan is well defined either by Councils, or Govt and shared with Communities for consultation.
Tiaki Wai.. Council handing over our assets which we stand Guarantor for, which is in the Billions.
With Tiaki Wai, you may be interested to know that the agenda for the Upper Hutt Council meeting this Wednesday does not list any of OUR land or assets which OUR council is transferring over to Tiaki Wai. WHY NOT????? It says it is published elsewhere but no where can we find it, nor is stated it is publicly excluded. So where is it?
Pg 102/103
https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/3/meetings/2026/cycle-2/council-agenda-20260520.pdf#page=102
If you wish to speak at council on this or any other matters here is the page council provide to inform of the process and rules – https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/council/about-your-council/council-meetings/Attending-and-speaking-at-council-meetings
Our Mayor Zee who is the chair of this meeting has made it very clear that you are not allowed to ask questions, nor are you allowed to speak on the same points that a previous speaker has spoken on. Which makes it difficult to gauge if more in the Community want to express their thoughts similar or same as others and not have one person as a lone voice on the topic. We feel this makes it extremely hard and not very open, nor transparent. But, as they say, it is what it is.
We are Standing Guarantor
Most councils have debt with and lend from the LGFA (Local Government Funding Authority), and as a borrower are part of the agreement that they are standing guarantor for the debt LGFA arranges.
As Tiaki Wai and other water entities around NZ will all be borrowing from LGFA, councils and effectively us, are standing guarantor.
LGFA current debt level: $30.36 billion
Tiaki Wai Revenue
26/27 reported estimate – $385 million.
27/28 estimates with 28% increase – $493 million.
Borrowing potential $1.93 billion in 26/27 and estimated $2.46 billion in 27/28, and that we stand guarantor for.
Then multiply this by 19 New Water Organisations around NZ – 12 in the North Island, 7 in the South Island.
28% Increase for water in 2027/2028
It has been stated that there could be a 28% increase in water charges in year 2 of Tiaki Wai, 2027/2028. Will Peet has stated that it is not confirmed, but you have to question, if it is being signalled now will it be any lower than 28%?
A 28% increase would be an approx. $500 increase in Water on top of the increases in 26/27.
This is broadly in line with indications in the Water Services Delivery Plan published by councils in October 2025.
The exact amount will vary from city to city and property to property, in the same way rates vary. Over time, Tiaki Wai will transition toward a common pricing model, also known as price harmonisation.
Will Peet says there has to be further increases in future years to get Tiaki Wai onto a stable financial foundation.
“We are signalling a big jump in 2027/28 of over 28%, but this is not confirmed as there is substantial further work to do to refine our plans.
Tiaki Wai Partners Committee (Council) Representatives
These are the councils and Iwi representatives on the Tiaki Wai Partners Committee. We understand they have been on this committee since December 2025.
Chairperson: Dame Kerry Prendergast Independent Chair – kerry@prendergast.co.nz
Deputy Chairperson: Mayor Peri Zee Upper Hutt City Council – peri.zee@uhcc.govt.nz
Other Committee Members:
Mayor Anita Baker, Porirua City Council – mayor@poriruacity.govt.nz
Cr Simon Edwards, Hutt City Council – simon.edwards@huttcity.govt.nz
Cr Ros Connelly, Greater Wellington Regional Council – ros.connelly@gw.govt.nz
Mayor Andrew Little, Wellington City Council – mayor@wcc.govt.nz
Helmut Modlik, Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira – enquiries@ngatitoa.iwi.nz
Kara Puketapu-Dentice, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika – kara@portnicholson.org.nz
Copy and Paste these into your email if you wish to contact all representatives.
kerry@prendergast.co.nz; mayor@poriruacity.govt.nz; simon.edwards@huttcity.govt.nz; ros.connelly@gw.govt.nz; peri.zee@uhcc.govt.nz; mayor@wcc.govt.nz; enquiries@ngatitoa.iwi.nz; kara@portnicholson.org.nz
NZ Empowered
A “thank you” to NZ Empowered for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.
19/05/26
The Upper Hutt Connection 