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 DIA’s information for councils.
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.
Consultation and WCC 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 and has the support of 72 percent of submissions.
The new organisation will own and operate public drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets and will have access to increased borrowing to meet the investment needed across the network.
View the minutes of Kōrau Tōtōpū | Long-term Plan, Finance, and Performance Committee - Thursday, 22 May 2025 (1.56MB PDF).
Next steps
Wellington City Council is now awaiting the decisions of Upper Hutt, Hutt City, Porirua City and Greater Wellington Regional councils.
These decisions are expected to be confirmed by 30 June 2025.
Should they agree to the regional CCO model, councils will work together to finalise a joint Water Services Delivery Plan.
Councils will work together to establish the new water organisation to commence operations from 1 July 2026.
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 DIA by Wednesday 3 September 2025.
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.
Additionally, councils must consult on the proposed delivery model.
For more information on the Act and WSDPs refer to the DIA website.
Local Government (Water Services) Bill (“Bill 3”)
Bill 3 was introduced to the House on 10 December 2024. 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, 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)