In December 2023 the Government announced a new direction for water services (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services) policy and legislation which it has called Local Water Done Well.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has provided councils with information about the Local Water Done Well policy decisions. Read the information for councils on DIA website (358KB PDF).
Then Minister of Local Government Hon Simeon Brown also provided information on Local Water Done Well stage 2: Establishing the framework and transitional arrangement for the new water services system. Read the letter from Hon Simeon Brown on DIA website (149KB PDF).
New water services delivery model
The five councils covering the Wellington metropolitan area (Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, Upper Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council) have all confirmed they will establish a new, jointly-owned organisation to deliver water services to their communities.
In March and April 2025, the councils publicly consulted on water service delivery options. Across all five councils, submissions showed solid support for the preferred option of a multi-council-owned water organisation, ranging from 69 to 84 percent of submissions in favour Wellington City Council’s consultation had the support of 72 percent of public participants.
The five councils have now all voted to go ahead with the new organisation, which will take accountability for water services on 1 July 2026.
Mana whenua iwi Ngāti Toa Rangitira and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika support this decision and are partnering with councils on improving water services delivery.
The new organisation, with the interim name Metro Water, will own and operate public drinking water, wastewater and reticulated stormwater assets for a population of around 430,000 people.
Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP)
Wellington City Council adopted the joint Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) at the August Council meeting.
See the meeting papers and decision record: Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Council meeting, 21 August 2025.
In addition to our Council, our four partner councils have also all adopted the joint WSDP and have submitted it to DIA.
Read the Water Service Delivery Plan (14.2MB PDF)
Read the Appendices to the Water Service Delivery Plan (3.54MB PDF)
WSDPs are a way for councils to demonstrate their commitment to deliver water services that meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and that are financially sustainable.
Metro Water will take accountability for water services on 1 July 2026.
Next steps
- October 2025 – the new water services organisation will be established as a legal entity.
- By end of January 2026 – the Wellington metro partners group will issue the joint Statement of Expectations to the new entity.
- July 2026 – the new water services entity commences delivery of water services and assumes accountability for all customer services.
Background
Wellington City Council started working with nine other councils in the wider Wellington region exploring the establishment of a regional water services organisation.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the ten councils was agreed to in May 2024. Since that time a number of councils have confirmed their preferred delivery models which has resulted in Upper Hutt City, Hutt City, Porirua City and Greater Wellington Regional councils all agreeing to progress with a Wellington regional water services organisation.
Read the joint proposal (446KB PDF)
The Water Services Preliminary Arrangements Act (the Act) (previously referred to as Bill 2) was enacted on Monday 2 September 2024. The Act outlines a number of provisions that councils must adhere to – most notably the development and submission of a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) by Wednesday 3 September 2025.
Additionally, councils must consult on the proposed delivery model.
For more information on the Act and WSDPs refer to DIA website.
Local Government (Water Services) Bill (“Bill 3”)
Bill 3 was introduced to the House on 10 December 2024. The Bill had its third reading on 19 August 2025 and is expected to be passed into law in the coming weeks.
For more information on the Bill refer to:
Wellington region water services planning
A report on the Recommended Regional Approach to Water Services Delivery was released to all 10 councils working together under the memorandum of understanding (902KB PDF).
The recommended option is for a joint council-owned company (a full breadth water utility, owning all assets, revenues and liabilities).
A joint water services entity is one of several options available to us.
Regional water Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) preferred option
On 11 December 2024, elected members and Pou Iwi approved the alternative options to take out to public consultation and feedback.
The multi-council-owned water organisation is the preferred option.
Kōrau Tōtōpū | Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee minutes - 11 December 2024 (527KB PDF)
Consultation and Wellington City Council decision
On 22 May 2025 the Council agreed to jointly establish and co-own a water Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) in conjunction with four other councils.
The multi council CCO option was the preferred option put to public consultation between 20 March and 21 April 2025 and has the support of 72 percent of submissions.
Kōrau Tōtōpū | Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee minutes - 22 May 2025 (1.56MB PDF)