Background

In December 2023 the Central Government announced a new direction for water services (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services) called Local Water Done Well.   

Water reform in the greater Wellington metro area was a collaboration of five councils:

  • Hutt City 
  • Upper Hutt City
  • Porirua City
  • Wellington City
  • Greater Wellington

And two iwi groups:

  •  Ngāti Toa Rangatira
  • Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika 
A drone image of the Kaitoke Pipe Bridge
The Kaitoke Pipe Bridge Project is part of efforts to ensure a resilient connection for the region’s primary water supply, transporting water from Te Awa Kairangi | the Hutt River to Te Mārua Water Treatment Plant.

Tiaki Wai 

Tiaki Wai took over from Wellington Water Ltd to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the metropolitan Wellington area on 1 July 2026.  

Water infrastructure remains publicly owned and managed on behalf of ratepayers and the community. 

Find out more about Tiaki Wai 

A Clarifier at the Te Mārua drinking/portable water treatment plant
A clarifier at Te Mārua drinking water treatment plant. Clarifiers are large, open tanks designed to allow particles to settle by gravity, separating them from the clearer water above.

What is Greater Wellington's role?

Greater Wellington previously provided drinking water to city councils for them to distribute to houses and businesses (also called ‘bulk drinking water supply’). 

On 1 July 2026, Tiaki Wai took ownership of Greater Wellington’s bulk water supply, which is no longer included in Greater Wellington’s 2024-34 Long Term Plan.

Key documents 

Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan

Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan preview

Five councils covering the Wellington metropolitan area – Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council – have agreed on a… Read more here

Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan preview

Published 29 Aug 2025

Download now (PDF 14 MB)

Appendices to Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan

Appendices to Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan preview

This is the appendices for the Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP). Read more here

Appendices to Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan preview

Published 29 Aug 2025

Download now (PDF 3.5 MB)

Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan: An overview

Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan: An overview preview

This document provides an overview of main points from the metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan. Read more here

Metropolitan Wellington Water Services Delivery Plan: An overview preview

Published 29 Aug 2025

Download now (PDF 244 KB)

Water Services Delivery Plan acceptance letter

Water Services Delivery Plan acceptance letter preview

The letter from Department of Internal Affairs accepting the Water Services Delivery Plan submitted by Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, Upper Hutt City Council and Wellington City… Read more here

Water Services Delivery Plan acceptance letter preview

Published 06 Oct 2025

Download now (PDF 1.2 MB)

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DIA water services policy and legislation DIA information on the Technical Advisory Group
DIA Local Water Done Well legislation DIA Local Water Done Well updates
Updated June 26, 2026 at 2:48 PM

Get in touch

Phone:
0800 496 734
Email:
info@gw.govt.nz